More than three months have passed since the Gedolei Yisrael decided that before Degel Hatorah decides to run a candidate for mayor of Beit Shemesh, they will first enter into negotiations with the incumbent mayor, Moshe Abutbul, in order to maximize the rights for the Litvish chareidi tzibur. Gedolei HaTorah also decided that if these talks do not yield progress, the matter will come before them again, at which time a decision will be made regarding running a Degel candidate to compete against the Shas-affiliated mayor in the elections.

BeChadrei Chareidim reports on some of the behind the stage realities pertaining to the elections in that city.

As mentioned above, in the three months the parties met for five negotiating sessions within a few weeks, and the parties have been cut off for a month, without participating in formal meetings, but there were several phone calls held by MK Uri Maklev with Mayor Moshe Abutbul before the Degel Hatorah leadership convened three weeks ago.

Amazingly, below is only a partial listing according to BeChadrei:
Mayor Abutbul would agree to fulfill a list of demands when the parties signed a coalition agreement. At the head of the requirements are the position of paid Deputy Mayor.
• Engineering and the Planning & Building portfolios
• The slot of a representative on the District Planning Committee
• Labor & Social Affairs portfolio
• In charge of educational institutions [which is a part of the Education portfolio]
• Chairman of the religious council
• Manpower portfolio
• Chairman of Manpower Committee
• Community Centers Portfolio
• Chairman of community centers committee
• Transportation portfolio
• Chairman of the Transportation Committee
• Health portfolio
• Assets portfolio
• Community Projects portfolio & projects intended for yeshivos
• Chairman of the Property Tax (arnona) Deduction Committee
• Chairman of the Debt Write-Offs Committee
• Economic Development portfolio
• Director of Employment & Industry
• Environmental Affairs portfolio
• Tourism portfolio
In addition, Degel demands a division commensurate with its relative power in municipal committees, representation in corporations and municipal companies according to its relative power, the appointment of an Ashkenazi rabbi in the election which will be held following the municipal elections, and the establishment of a rabbinical committee with Degel Hatorah to discuss acceptance into seminars towards discussing the distress of girls who are not accepted into institutions in the city.

In the basket of demands that is reported by BeChadrei Chareidim, one can also find a demand that “if a subcommittee for allocations is established, Degel Hatorah will be an element in it and the matter will be determined by agreement and according to the needs of the public in the allotment area.”

Another condition that is expected to be an obstacle in the negotiations is that “allocations that were given in the past and which do not match the spirit of the neighborhood or contrary to the city’s rabbonim will be annulled,” and “the arrangement of allocations to shuls and kindergartens in the old portion of Beit Shemesh.” In addition to the demand that “the mayor undertakes that every faction that wishes to join the coalition after the signing of this agreement will be required to receive approval by Degel Hatorah as well.”

Difficulties include: What will be given in return for the Education portfolio in addition to waiting for the response from party chairman, Aryeh Deri.

As stated, the parties held five meetings together with the local Shlomei Emunim faction, but they encountered the Mayor’s foot-dragging. At the first meeting, Abutbul heard the demands of the factions. At the second meeting, he requested the inclusion of Agudas Yisrael in the meeting. At the third meeting, he asked to hold separate meetings with Degel and Shlomei Emunim. In another meeting, the mayor heard the demands again and at the fifth meeting that took place more than a month ago, was held with Degel Hatorah only.

Talks officially have stopped for over a month, mainly due to the reality of bein hazmanim and family vacations among participating parties. It is hoped that negotiations will resume in the coming days. In the meantime, in Degel, two crucial meetings were held on the talks, and while they failed to formulate conclusions and make decisions, it was decided that the education portfolio is a deal-breaker.

Another meeting was held last Tuesday with MK Maklev, in which he formulated the demands of Degel, in addition to the meeting of the Degel Hatorah administration, during which a letter was read by the rabbonim of Beit Shemesh. The letter revealed that they are asking to bring the matter back to the Gedolim, seeking permission to run a Degel candidate against Abutbul in the mayoral race. it appears the main stumbling block surrounds the education portfolio. However, it has been learned that Degel is willing to accept only a portion of that portfolio, which is always atop of the wish list of chareidi parties. The problems seem to be from Yeshayahu Ehrenreich, who holds that portfolio today. He explains that he has an agreement with Abutbul stating that the current assignment of portfolios will remain in the next term, following elections.

However, the report adds that in talks with Degel, Ehrenreich is showing a willingness to relinquish a portion of the portfolio towards unity, but he wants something else in its place – possibly transportation of the community centers portfolios, both on the Degel wish list too.

In addition to the difficulties existing between Degel and Shas, there are the issues between Degel and the Shlomei Emunim faction. Shlomei Emunim is also vying for the paid deputy mayor slot. While there may be more than one deputy mayor, as is usually the case, most of them are not paid fulltime positions. Degel has been instructed by its rabbonim not to sign any agreement with Abutbul that does not include Shlomei Emunim. Since the chassidic faction has not reached basic understanding with the mayor, it is estimated that it likely to affect a coalition agreement between Degel and the mayor.

Responses to BeChadrei following the report:
Mayor Abutbul:
First of all, we are meeting here and there, albeit not long meetings, but we are meeting. I believe there will still be a few meetings to reach understandings and to leave items upon which there is disagreement open. I believe that within a few days, we will reach understandings and then be able to announce to Am Yisrael that we have signed and of course everything is limited to G-d’s will and Siyata Dishmaya.

MK Maklev:
Things are no correct. The sides met a number of times recently, and everything was on the table of Gedolei Yisrael and we will act as they instruct us.

Shlomei Emunim:
There is no connection between Beit Shemesh and other cities in the context of the decision in the hands of the mayor. There is total coordination between the local branch of Shlomei Emunim and the local Degel Hatorah regarding everything pertaining to negotiations.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)