Likud Jerusalem Endorses Leon In The City’s Mayoral Race
In another boost to the campaign of Jerusalem mayoral hopeful Moshe Leon, the Jerusalem branch of the Likud party on Wednesday announced it is backing Moshe Leon. The announcement was made by the chairman of the local party, Ilan Gordo, who released the announcement to the media.
The announcement read, “Likud members in the capital: Leon’s national views are consistent with our views … Moshe Leon is a member of the national camp – and it is fitting that Likud ministers and Knesset members join the branch and express their open support for Leon’s candidacy – the man most suitable for the post of mayor of Jerusalem”.
Deputy Minister Meir Porush Sets Parameters For Support In Runoff Elections
Runoff elections are scheduled for Tuesday, 5 Kislev in a number of cities and municipalities throughout Israel, including Tzefas and Yerushalayim. Deputy Minister Meir Porush, of the Shlomei Emunim faction of Agudas Yisrael, once again announces his terms, that he will endorse Degel Hatorah candidate Moshe Leon in the Jerusalem runoff election in exchange for Degel backing chareidi candidate Nachman Gelbech in the Tzefas election.
Porush seems to be operating under the “never forget and never forgive” principle ahead of the runoff elections. Outgoing Beit Shemesh mayor, Moshe Abutbul, on Tuesday said he goodbyes and parted from his long-term colleagues at City Hall after two terms. Abutbul is affiliated with Shas and was also backed in the race by Degel Hatorah. He is not going to remain on the council as per the agreement signed, and the slot will be taken by a member of Porush’s Shlomei Emunim faction.
However, Porush appears to still be angry over Degel and Shas’ betrayal in the first round of elections in Jerusalem, as they did not back the Agudah candidate, Yossi Deutsch, and he stated that despite Abutbul’s compliance with the agreement, there will not be achdus in Beit Shemesh until such time there is achdus in Tzefas.
Once again, readers are reminded that for the chareidi parties, never once has the issue of what is best for the city and its residents been addressed, just the matter of which of the players will maintain control. That is perhaps the once point that unites all the chareidi parties. If there would have been achdus in the Jerusalem race, a runoff election would most likely not be taking place.
As we turn back to Porush; a letter appeared in the Wednesday morning edition of HaMevaser, which is controlled by a son of the deputy minister, the faction is quoted taking umbrage with Abutbul, for resigning later than agreed upon. Meir Porush is quoted explaining “we cannot and will not take about achdus when the other party cannot comply with agreements”, citing the importance to permit the incoming administration enter into talks with Mayor-Elect Dr. Aliza Bloch.
He adds that in order for there to be a united chareidi bloc, there must be trust in one-another, questioning how Shas can expected to be trusted when it acts as it does.
The bottom line is that the runoff elections are less than a week away and the chareidi parties are exactly where they were weeks ago, before the municipal elections, and achdus is not a word that seem to too palatable to some of the lead players in the game.
Social Activist Files With Court To Disqualify Moshe Leon From Jerusalem Runoff Election
A petition to disqualify Moshe Leon, a candidate in the runoff election for Jerusalem mayor, was submitted to the Jerusalem District Court by social activist Azi Nagar.
The petition filed on Wednesday morning by Nagar and the attorneys David Sandovski and Uri Yosha calls on the court to order the interior minister to cancel Leon’s candidacy to cancel the candidacy of Moshe Leon. The suit also mentions the Minister of the Interior.
Attorney Huppert leads the petition and will also be the Petitioners’ counsel. Social activist Azi Nagar stated: “The petition relies solely on the law and on it alone for the good of society, and the welfare of the city and its inhabitants compels us”.
The grounds for seeking to have Leon disqualified are not detailed.
HaGaon HaRav Avraham Dov Auerbach Says No To Joining Tiveria Coalition
There is disappointment among the chareidi tzibur in Tiveria as Ron Kobi was elected as mayor in a decisive victory. He beat out both Yossi Ben-David and Dudik Azoulai. Now, the chareidim in the city face a dilemma, as they have to decide if they are going to enter into coalition negotiations with the incoming mayor, a man who spoke out openly against the city’s chareidi population. It was just days ago when Kobi announced the chareidi population in the city is now about 22%, and they must not be permitted to reach 30%.
HaGaon HaRav Avraham Dov Auerbach Shlita, who backed Shas in the election together with Degel Hatorah, has signaled that at present, not to enter the forming coalition but to remain in the opposition.
The rav released a strongly-worded letter addressed to “All the Bnei Torah Shomrei Mitzvos in the city”, adding, “We will gather together to examine our actions and understand what HKBH has done to us, and we are all more or less responsible for this. Chazal have said that one who take Chilul Hashem lightly must make an even greater effort to stop him and those who help him.”
אחד שוגג ואחד מזיד בחילול השם, כי כנראה היינו צריכים להתאמץ עוד יותר לעצור בעדו ובעד המסייעים לו
The rav explains that prior to elections, the discussion surrounded supporting one who is Shomer Shabbos or one who is Mechalel Shabbos Chas V’sholom. He explains that “Now, a ‘mumar’ has been placed in charge, one who remains committed to destroying Shabbos in the city”. The rav said this is a great Chilul Hashem that he was elected, even before he does anything and no, there must be chareidi achdus to be ready to oppose and shout against any effort, ever so slight as it may be, towards striking out against the religious community and Shabbos in the city.
He states it is an “absolute isur (prohibition)” to join with Kobi and his coalition, citing this as a psak halacha, and there are no explanations or reasoning that can justify such a move.
והננו מגלים דעתנו דעת תורה ופסק הלכה בזה, כי ישנו איסור חמור על כל התחברות עמו, ובודאי שח”ו לא לישב עמו בקואליציה אחת, בלא שום טצדקי ותרוצים, וכל המתחבר עמו נותן יד לפושעים ואחריתו כמוהם
A Look At Aryeh King’s Demands To Enter A Coalition With Moshe Leon
Earlier this week, the Meuchadim party in Jerusalem, headed by Aryeh King, announced it was backing Moshe Leon in his bid to become the next mayor of the city. However, as with all parties, such an endorsement comes with a list of demands, which are negotiated, and if approved, agreement is reached. This means if Leon is elected in next week’s runoff election, Meuchadim will be a part of the city government and not a member of the opposition, providing both sides reached agreement, which includes m mutual compromise.
According to a Kikar Shabbos News report, Aryeh King on Wednesday morning, 29 Marcheshvan, arrived at the Rechavia home of Leon to receive his commitment to safeguard the kedusha and character of the city.
The report adds that among King’s demands are:
- Reducing Chilul Shabbos in the city by enforcing the law which are already in place.
- To prevent the flying of the toeiva flag in the capital as is done annually during the parade.
It is also reported that Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu, a son of HaGaon HaRav Shmuel Eliyahu Shlita and other prominent members of the chardal (chareidi dati leumi) community exiting Leon’s home.
In a recent letter written by Rabbi Amichai Eliyahu, he stated, “Aryeh Deri is not my cup of tea and not of the religious Zionists either. However, if the question is one of choosing between the ideology of Meretz and the actions of Deri, albeit not lightheartedly, I am with Deri”.
He adds, “If the question is between the culture of Rachel Azariya and Hashgacha Pratit and that of Shas and Degel Hatorah, I prefer to exert efforts to build a bridge between those who believe in Toras Yisrael and the relevance of the words of Chazal over those working to promote and advance the agenda of the Reform Movement in Israel”.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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“Once again, readers are reminded that for the chareidi parties, never once has the issue of what is best for the city and its residents been addressed, just the matter of which of the players will maintain control. ”
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someone who votes for religious candidate even if they sin in their personal lives is a making a public statement that They are abundantly surfeit of Aspirations to be better and just a מומר לתיאבון
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