Shas� Bet Shemesh mayoral candidate Rav Moshe Abutbal is angry at Likud, accusing the city�s mayor of using unacceptable tactics in the city�s election campaign.

According to Rav Abutbul, Likud�s attitude towards Shas is �hostile� and unacceptable, stating that things have gotten out of hand, compelling him to turn to Shas Party leader Eli Yishai, who in turn placed a phone call to Likud leader and premiership candidate Binyamin Netanyahu.

Abutbal explains for example, Likud incumbent, Bet Shemesh Mayor Yossi Vaknin is using photos of a Neturei Karta visit to Iran to depict chareidim in a bad light � inciting the secular public against chareidi yidden. He stated �derogatory� photos, some from the Holocaust era, are being used to �incite� the secular population against Shas.

According to Abutbul, Yishai warned Netanyahu that if this continues, Likud should not expect Shas� support for his premiership race in the upcoming general election. Rav Abutbul added that there is �no loving relationship� between Netanyahu and Vaknin, and the Likud leader would most likely be pleased if he was not reelected.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)