In the state’s response to the Supreme Court last week, it maintains that there is no justification for further delaying the election for a chief rabbi of Yerushalayim.

The response was to the petition filed by Jerusalem opposition councilman, Nir Barakat, and National Union MK Uri Ariel against the minister of religious services. The two alleged that the minister, affiliated with Shas, is working to appoint a son of Rav Ovadia Yosef Shlita as the new Jerusalem Chief Rabbi, while they are seeking a rav affiliated with the Dati Leumi camp, stating the majority of the capital is Dati Leumi (National Religious).

The prosecution told the court that earlier, there was a misunderstanding regarding the chain of events, but the state believes the election should be held on Sunday, 7 Elul, and there is no suspicion of wrongdoing as is alleged in the petition, praising the response and behavior of the minister regarding the entire matter.

The court accepted the 20-page response, and the election is now scheduled for 7 Elul, this coming Sunday.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)