MK (Shas) Rav Chaim Amsellem contacted the Knesset security officer on Wednesday night to file a complaint, explaining that an email was sent in his name to a number of notables, including Minister of Religious Services (Shas) R’ Yitzchak Margi was not sent by him. The email was timed as Amsellem was on a plane heading abroad.

The letter, seemingly in Amsellem’s name, accused Shas askan Yehuda Avidan of working in collusion with Ashdod’s legal advisor, both seeking to manipulate the upcoming election of a chief rabbi in the city. The email states Amsellem has conferred with city officials, prominent members of the city’s frum community who wish to remain anonymous, and members of the city’s religious council. The email states that he speaks for all of them, who support speaking out against Avitan.

The email generated a heated response among Shas officials, who questioned how Amsellem can continue as a party representative while he undermines the decisions of the party leaders.

Amsellem stated the email is not his and the Knesset security officer has launched an investigation to determine who may have tapped into the MKs Knesset computer to send an email in his name.

The main contenders in the Rabbanut race in Ashdod are Rav Chaim Pinto, endorsed by Shas and none other than Rav Chaim Amsellem, who is backed by Admorim of the Abuchatzera family.

Yehuda Avidan is handling the Shas campaign as was reported by YWN-Israel (http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=45812) and Rav Amsellem appears to enjoy the support of the Abuchatzera rabbonim, although Avidan last week denied this to be true, stating as a member of the family, he is well informed and assured Rabbanei Abuchatzera indeed support the Shas candidate.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)