It appears that a deal has been closed, albeit not signed, between Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat and Shas in which the Sephardi party will receive the city’s chareidi education portfolio. Needless to say Degel Hatorah is furious with the mayor.

Yahadut Hatorah MK Yaakov Asher, who is a member of Degel’s coalition negotiating team, told the press on Tuesday, 2 Kislev 5774 his party is not about to just throw in the towel on the chareidi education portfolio. Asher explains that after Yahadut Hatorah has held that portfolio for some 20 years, there is no reason in the world to decide to hand it over to Shas.

Asher explains it is not as if Shas supported the mayor’s reelection bid or is larger than Yahadut Hatorah. He points out their size is the same and both parties endorsed the mayor’s opponent. He adds the mayor spoke of letting bygones be bygones and starting a clean slate but in reality, it appears this is not the case.

Asher fell short of saying what will occur if the portfolio is given to Shas and if his party opts to remain in opposition in Jerusalem City Hall.

Speaking with Kol Berama Radio’s Moti Lavi on Tuesday morning, Yitzchak Pindrus, who was a deputy mayor in the outgoing administration, stated “if we do not receive one of the three senior portfolios we will be in opposition.”

Those portfolios include chareidi education, building and planning, and the city’s finance portfolio.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)