Deputy Minister Meir Porush Addresses The Controversial Elad Mayoral Race

Deputy Education Minister Meir Porush, who is affiliated with the Agudas Yisrael faction of Yahadut Hatorah, spoke out regarding the growing controversy surrounding the Elad mayoral race where his son, Mayor Yisrael Porush, is seeking reelection.

Porush explained that his faction has been caught up in internal fighting in the Degel Hatorah faction, and “some have forgotten the legacy of Maran HaGaon HaRav Aryeh Yehuda Leib Shteinman ZT”L ZY”A.”

During the ceremony opening the Agudas Yisrael campaign headquarters in Elad, Deputy Minister Porush said, “We turned to Degel Hatorah many times for arbitration and when they had complaints about an agreement with Pindrus in Yerushalayim, we went to arbitration and this time, we sent six letters, but they did not agree to arbitration”.

Regarding the agreement itself, Porush added, “We have a letter from Av Beis Din Tevunos Ari, HaGaon Rav Moshe Ori Eisenstein Shlita, who writes that we are exempt from the agreement in Elad because Degel violated it. And yet, they did not want to go to arbitration. Then they tried to accuse us of falsifying the document, and then they said that there was another clause they we hid. We have not heard what they are talking about until now.

“I feel that Shlomei Emunim was drawn against its will into an internal machlokes. People from there wish to forget there was a place at 5 Chazon Ish Street and are trying to draw us in. This is a dispute that has nothing to do with us. Perhaps Yisrael Porush is the victim for all of this.”

“We are willing to compromise” said Meir Porush, adding, “we cannot have our wings cut off. We want to remain on the map with representatives who serves the public and that the public wants them. In this situation, there cannot be dialogue and therefore, Yisrael Porush will run and there will be five representatives”.

Mayor Yisrael Porush added, “We did everything to achieve peace and achdus but unfortunately, there are those who torpedoed these efforts. Therefore, we will focus on speaking positively, and each of us should accept a good decision, as to refrain from loshon hora, davening with a minyan and etc. so these zechuyos should work to our benefit”.

Beit Shemesh Mayoral Candidate Bloch: Why Do Chareidim Have To Suffer & Study In Caravans?

The dati leumi candidate in the Beit Shemesh mayoral race, Dr. Aliza Bloch, appears to be gaining momentum and according to the polls, she has a real chance of unseating the incumbent, Shas-affiliated mayor, Rabbi Moshe Abutbul.

Speaking with Moshe Glasner of Kol Berama Radio, Bloch addressed a number of issues. She said, “I will b e the next mayor of Beit Shemesh. B’ezras Hashem there will be a revolution that will bring a better mayor to Beit Shemesh.”

She added, “I am a representative of people who want a better life. Why do chareidim have to study in caravans? Why should chareidim not have jobs? Why should chareidim suffer from improper management? Why should chareidim suffer?

“Even in Jerusalem, there is a chareidi candidate who does not support him, and there is also a secular candidate supported by the chareidi Jews. In the city of Beit Shemesh, the chareidi public is even deprived of matters that a chareidi mayor was supposed to handle. The fact is that there is also a chareidi mayor in the city of Beit Shemesh and there are problems with mikvahs, burial services, and kashrus.”

VIDEO: Zaka Leader Backs Elkin In Jerusalem Mayoral Race

Zaka leader Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, who boasts being 11th generation Yerushalmi, has come out in support of Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Ze’ev Elkin in the Jerusalem mayoral race.

Meshi-Zahav stresses the importance of the holy city for him, and he is confident that Elkin is the right man for the job.

The latest Walla News election poll pertaining to the mayoral race in Yerushalayim shows Ofir Berkowitz is leading with 22%, followed by Elkin with 19%, Moshe Leon 13%, Yossi Deutsch 12%, and Avi Salman 1%.

31% of voters have not yet decided who they will vote for in the election.

In response to the poll, the Deutsch election campaign released the following statement: “Walla’s poll proves to those who are still in doubt that Moshe Leon cannot and will not be elected mayor. Once again, it has been proven that the formation of the chareidi bloc around the candidacy of Yossi Deutsch will lead to his certain victory. B’ezras Hashem, Yossi Deutsch will be the next mayor of Jerusalem.”

The Elkin campaign responded: The poll proves once again that Berkowitz does not receive significant support from most of the public in Jerusalem, so his chances of being elected are negligible. The only candidate who receives support for the secular, traditional, dati leumi and chareidi seculars is Elkin, and therefore he wins the second round in every scenario and against each candidate.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)