Councilman Aryeh King Sets His Conditions For Backing Moshe Leon In Jerusalem Mayoral Race

The Meuchadim party in Jerusalem headed by Council Aryeh King, has presented it list of demands to Moshe Leon, demands that he will have to agree to accept to enjoy the party’s support in next week’s runoff elections, scheduled for 5 Kislev. Leon is facing off against Ofer Berkowitz in the runoff election since they received the most votes, but neither candidate received the minimum required to be declared the winner, 40%.

Fierce negotiations are underway between the various factions for the candidate for mayor, Moshe Leon. The dati leumi community was split in round one of the voting, between Minister Ze’ev Elkin and Yossi Deitch. Aryeh King, who supported Deutsch in the first round is likely to support Moshe Leon in the second round.

According to a Kikar Shabbos News report, a main condition set forth by King is the exclusion of the Bayit Yehudi party from the coalition set up by Leon if he wins the race.

According to a weekend report in Yisrael Hayom, Bayit Yehudi in Yerushalayim, headed by Chagit Moshe, is in the final stages of closing a deal to back the secular candidate in the runoff election, Ofer Berkowitz.

However, when asked if this is the case, King told Kikar Shabbos the report is incorrect. “We don’t boycott and party. However, we are asking to become his first choice, before Bayit Yehudi and before Elkin” King explained.

A senior member of King’s team is quoted by Kikar anonymously, explaining the move reporting King seeking to exclude Bayit Yehudi is the party’s spin, a move to justify backing the non-religious candidate in the runoff election.

Moshe confirms negotiations are taking place, but as of now, Bayit Yehudi in Yerushalayim has not signed and is not yet backing either of the candidates in the runoff race.

PHOTOS: Mayoral Candidate Leon Receives A Bracha From Rav Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron

In the accompanying photos, we see Jerusalem mayoral candidate Moshe Leon with former Rishon L’Tzion HaGaon HaRav Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron, with the rav giving Leon a bracha for success in the runoff election.

The runoff election against Ofer Berkowitz is scheduled to take place next week, on Tuesday, 5 Kislev.

Shas Goes With Nachman Gelbech Of Shlomei Emunim In Tzefas Mayoral Race

There is tension in Tzefas, as it is one of the cities awaiting a runoff election for mayor, which will be held next Tuesday, 5 Kislev. The race is Nachman Gelbech (Agudas Yisrael) against Shuki Ochana (Likud). Gelbech met on Sunday afternoon with Shas party chairman Minister Aryeh Deri, with the latter deciding to back the chareidi candidate in the race. Gelbech is expected to visit with HaGaon HaRav Shalom Cohen Shlita, head of the Shas Moetzas Gedolei Torah, at which time Rav Cohen will publicly announce Shas’ support for his election.

Senior Shas official in Tzefas, Ronen Ganon, released a letter expressing Deri’s support for Gelbech, containing Rav Cohen’s bracha as well. The letter has warm words for the candidate, who is seen as succeeding in uniting the various elements of the city.

It is pointed out that in this case, despite harsh opposition between them in other cities, especially Elad, Shas is backing the Shlomei Emunim candidate in the mayoral race.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)