A new list is reported in the upcoming Beersheva municipal elections, calling itself ‘Kol Beersheva’, headed by Itzik Dahan, the son of the former chief rabbi of Beersheva, Rabbi Mishael Dahan. According to local reports, this new list will also compete with Shas in the city’s elections.

The new list will be led by Rabbi Yosef Chaim Batzri, head of Beit Yosef institutions in the city founded by his father, Rabbi Binyamin Batzri ZT”L. According to the report, the list’s ballot letter is ‘Gimmel’, with the support of Yahadut Hatorah.

In the present term, the “Bnei Yosef” institutions have a representative on the city council – Shimon Touboul, who is second on the Shas list.

Speaking with the local ‘Sheva’ newspaper, Touboul said, “The idea is that we are not alone, there are many bodies here, talmidei torah from Beersheva, rabbis of communities and neighborhoods. Everyone wants to connect to this and open something new and clean, without unwanted additions – something of love and connection like Rav Binyamin Batzri wanted. To see the beauty of Torah and religion and the love of Israel, and to connect youth, education and young people to the true Israeli tradition; What we really remember was on Shabbos at the home of our father, and not what is produced today.”

In fact, as Touboul says, Degel Hatorah is behind the new list and even the funding for the election campaign will come from the party. However, in a conversation with a “Municipal Area” Touboul is not unequivocal. He sets out a list of demands for Shas that are not sure they will accept his demands.

The Shas party in Beersheva has three seats and has been so for two decades, headed by Ofer Karadi, who is accepted by most of the local rabbonim, including the rabbis of the Abarjil family, Rabbi Pinchas Abuchatzera and unofficially also by the city’s Chief Rabbi, Rabbi Yehuda Deri.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)