The Yesh Atid party candidate in the Arab mayoral elections, attorney Nissan Ben-Chamu emerged the victor in the local race. SMS text messages were sent to Russian speaking voters on Election Day explaining Gerre Chassidim are voting in large numbers and �they will win if you don�t get out and vote for Ben-Chamu�.

On the party�s official Facebook page there is also a posting that does not speak of the chareidi tzibur fondly. �Gerre Chassidim have filed a petition to the Supreme Court in an effort to steal the election, seeking to register chassidim who just came to the city as residents� explaining after cutting a deal with the opponent they are now trying to arrange for chassidim who are not part of the city to vote�.

Ben-Chamu stated �It�s time to say �enough!� It is time to stop selling out the city through political deal-making. Get out and vote for we want a different Arad!�

There are approximately 1,000 families affiliated with Gur living in Arad today in addition to Chabad chassidim and the dati leumi tzibur. The chareidi tzibur today comprises about 20% of the city�s population. The chareidim and dati leumi voters backed the losing candidate.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)