VIDEO: Deutsch Address Unjustifiable Red Tape In Jerusalem City Hall In the accompanying video, Jerusalem mayoral candidate Yossi Deutsch explains that if elected, he will bring an end to the unacceptable bureaucracy accompanying requests for building permits and extensions, citing citizens despair after years pass without receiving the permit, being sent from clerk to clerk. Deutsch insists such a process should not take more than eight months. He adds that the current system leads to persons offering bribes, aware that there is no other way to move things along. He insists there must be transparency throughout the entire process, permitting the tzibur to know exactly where the process is holding. After serving for some 12 years in various positions in Jerusalem City Hall, including Deputy Mayor, Deutsch, the only chareidi candidate, insists he is more than qualified to serve all the people, not just the chareidim, as his actions over those testify. Online Game & Daily Lottery Seeks To Bring Out Jerusalem Voters In Municipal Elections In Israel Hundreds of Jerusalemites registered online over the weekend for a new election game, GetVote, which encourages voters to exercise their right and responsibility to vote on Election Day. Each day, a lottery is held awarding NIS 1,000 among participants. There will also be lotteries for three vacations abroad which will include the 100 participants who brought the most registered voters to the vote on Election Day. The game can only be accessed from a smartphone and not a stationary computer. One does not download an app, but rather one participates online. The game is the development of social organizations in Jerusalem without political affiliation. According to the rules of the game, in order to accumulate points, players invite neighbors, friends and family to be active in the game – and one receives receive points for their joining. On Election Day, the score is doubled and tripled, depending on the number of members who actually voted. Voting will be verified using QR codes placed outside polling stations. HaRav Silman Explains The Demands That Prevented Achdus On motzei Shabbos, rabbonim from various kehillos visited the home of HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita, lead by Gedolei Yisrael, to focus on the candidacy of Yitzchak Pindrus as the Degel Hatorah candidate in the Elad mayoral race. At the start of the meeting, HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein Shlita, HaGaon HaRav Baruch Dov Povarsky Shlita, and HaGaon HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch Shlita arrived. According to an exclusive Kikar Shabbos News report, HaGaon HaRav Yehuda Silman Shlita, who is also a member of the Degel Hatorah Moetzas Gedolei Torah as are the others, explained the realities surrounding the election. One is reminded that Rav Silman during recent months, represented the Torah Council as the person negotiating with the parties involved, and is therefore most qualified to provide a assessment of the situation regarding Elad. Rav Silman is quoted saying, “I’m going to tell you two things, first we did not come here for an election rally, we came here for an invitation to a bar mitzvah. What do I mean? It is very simple. It’s time for our public in Elad to convey the message that as long as we were little children we needed a guardian. A bar mitzvah bochur no longer requires a guardian. “What ploni almoni

Degel Blames Shlomei Emunim For Machlokes Ahead Of Municipal Elections With municipal elections in Israel about ten days away, Tuesday, October 30th, the machlokes between Degel Hatorah and Shlomei Emunim in some municipalities seems to be escalating. Sadly, despite each party insisting they are doing what is best for its constituents, the division of the chareidi vote in the past has opened the door for a secular candidate to emerge the victor, as occurred in Jerusalem in the race when Nir Barkat ran for his first term. Degel Hatorah leader MK Moshe Gafne continues to insist that Shlomei Emunim is not adhering to the agreement in Elad, where Degel feels the candidate should be from the Litvish party. However, Shlomei Emunim feels Degel violated the agreement and therefore, its candidate, the outgoing mayor, Yisrael Porush, will run for another term. Degel in Betar Illit on Monday evening, spoke of the tensions between Mayor Meir Rubinstein and Degel representatives, as Rubinstein refused to give up the building portfolio to Degel representative Dudi Zlatz, as the party feels he should. Regarding Elad, Gafne insists there was an agreement in Elad, written “in black on white” and therefore, Porush should not be running for reelection, yet Shlomei Emunim prefers to do as it wishes, ignoring the agreement that Degel abided by in the last election, backing Porush bid for the mayoral post. Gafne’s criticism does not end with Elad but blames Shlomei for the machlokes in Beit Shemesh since it, Shlomei Emunim, decided to connect the Beit Shemesh race to the machlokes in Elad. Gafne explains that Degel did not walk away there but held a lottery as per instructions from HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein Shlita to determine who the candidates will be. He added then HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita intervened and decided the candidate in Beit Shemesh will be the incumbent, Shas-affiliated Mayor Moshe Abutbul. Gafne explains that in line with instruction from Gedolei Torah, Degel will not have its own mayoral candidate in Beit Shemesh, but once again, there is no making peace with Shlomei Emunim. Gafne insists that machlokes is not good for the chareidi tzibur, blaming Shlomei Emunim for fueling the fires of machlokes and it must fall in line and act in the best interests of the chareidi tzibur at large as Degel is doing. PHOTOS: Mayoral Candidate Yossi Deutsch Speaks Of The Jewish People’s Historical Right To Yerushalayim Jerusalem mayoral candidate Yossi Deutsch, the only chareidi mayoral candidate in the race, responded to the finding of the unique stone inscription dating to Bayis Sheni mentioning Jerusalem, written in Hebrew letters, and using the spelling as we know it today. “An exciting discovery for every Jerusalemite and Jew. Only those who know how to protect their past can defend their future. The discovery of the inscription in Jerusalem reminds us again of the fact that we have been here for a long time. The inscription reveals a flourishing industrial center for pottery near Jerusalem. When we break the freeze and open the industrial zone in Atarot, we will continue to practice a 2,000-year tradition. The discovery reminds us of our deep commitment to Jerusalem and it goes straight to the soul of a Jew in the world. Because Jerusalem is the soul of all of us, and

While the news is not a revelation of significant change in what we all know, the litvish chareidi Degel Hatorah party has officially announced it is endorsing Jerusalem mayoral candidate Moshe Leon in November’s municipal elections throughout Israel. It was apparent that in addition to the Shas and Yisrael Beitenu parties, that Degel was backing Leon but to date, there has not been an official announcement confirming this. Many are still scratching their heads and remain somewhat perplexed as to how Shas and Degel feel that they can back a dati leumi candidate in the race when there is a chareidi mayoral hopeful, Agudas Yisrael’s Yossi Deutsch. Degel national chairman, MK Moshe Gafne, recently told the media the party is not backing Deutsch because Agudas Yisrael is unwilling to give his party as fair shake regarding the division of council seats and other election-related matters. That being the case, Degel Hatorah has finally made the announcement, making their endorsement of Leon official. This appears in the Sunday morning 28 Tishrei edition of the Degel Hatorah-affiliated newspaper, Yated Neeman. The notice in the newspaper states “HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky Shlita and Rabbeinu Rosh Yeshiva HaGaon HaRav Gershon Edelstein Shlita have announced in the upcoming elections in Yerushalayim, the party will support Mr. Moshe Leon”. It is reported that prior to arriving at this decision, meetings were held with various factions to discuss matters including kedushas Yerushalayim…The announcement adds the Moetzas Gedolei Torah of Shas headed by HaGaon HaRav Shalom Cohen Shlita has also decided to back Leon’s candidacy. It is added that the newspaper states in the coming weeks, closer to elections, letters of endorsement from Gedolei Hador will be publicized. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

In an interview with Yisrael Rosner in the Degel Hatorah-affiliated Yated Neeman newspaper, Degel leader MK Moshe Gafne explains realities surrounding the municipal elections around Israel vis-à-vis its partner, Agudas Yisrael. Gafne is asked to explain why in Haifa and Yerushalayim for example, Degel Hatorah has split from Agudas Yisrael and they are backing different candidates. Gafne explains that the distribution of power between the litvish and chassidic factions in Yerushalayim was unacceptable, compelling Degel to back Moshe Leon instead of chassidic candidate Yossi Deutsch, who is also the only chareidi candidate in the race. Gafne is clear, blaming Agudas Yisrael for the split in Jerusalem and elsewhere, stating the chassidic faction is simply being unreasonable regarding the division of the pie with Degel Hatorah, with the latter being the litvish faction. Gafne is quick to add that all parties concerned will however do their utmost to increase chareidi representation, somewhat contradicting the reality in place today. Regarding municipal elections in Haifa, he explains Degel did everything possible to avoid a split. He points out the incumbent, Mayor Yona Yahav, has done everything possible against “All that is holy”, and he does not understand how Agudas Yisrael can publicly come out in support of Yahav, who he blames for making life a miserable for Haifa’s chareidim as he possibly could during this last term in office. This he feels compelled Degel to break from Agudas Yisrael and run independently, as Degel is not about to back a party which publicly supports the mayor, who is seeking reelection. Party colleague MK Uri Maklev told Yated that in most places, the factions remain united, and one must address each municipality individually, with its own issues and realities. In Haifa he explains, where the matter is one of who will be the next mayor, Degel simply could not run with a party backing the incumbent. Maklev stresses Degel’s desire to remain united with the other chareidi parties, pointing out, “However, there are places where there are needs that characterize our communities that require attention and reference according to their share of the population as in Jerusalem. When we split into two lists, there is no ideological dispute, but rather strengthening the representation of all the communities and increasing the power in the council.” Simply stated, Maklev and Gafne feel Agudas Yisrael is unwilling to give Degel what it perceives to be its fare share of the pie considering the number of Degel voters in the capital. The parties remain in dispute as to which faction has more supporters among registered voters in Yerushalayim. “This was the case in Beit Shemesh as well in the last elections” adds MK Yaakov Asher of the Degel party. “It has proven itself and if the split [in this upcoming election] will strengthen the chareidi representation, it will increase ‘shalom and achdus’ during negotiations with the mayor as well as during the entire upcoming term”. Regarding Degel’s decision not to back Yossi Deutsch in the Jerusalem mayoral race, Gafne explains if Agudas Yisrael wants Degel’s support, it has to include Degel in the decision-making process as to who the chareidi candidate will be, which did not occur in this case. He adds that at times, running a chareidi candidate can have a negative effect. Gafne also delivers a

Degel’s Internal Battle for the Jerusalem Leadership Position After Pindrus’ Departure Degel Hatorah’s fight surrounding the Jerusalem mayoral race continues, without pause. The inner party picture is one of machlokes at present, as Yisrael Kellerman and Eliezer Ruchberger view themselves as the successor to Yitzchak Pindrus as the party’s leader in the capital. Pindrus has left the list to become the Degel Hatorah candidate in the Elad mayoral race. Kellerman is backed by MK Uri Maklev, as he served as an aide to Maklev in the past. Ruchberger on the other hand has an open door to Knesset Speaker and has been the dominant personality in the party in Yerushalayim during the last term. Most signal that the first place will likely go to Kellerman and if they receive a deputy mayoral post, they will rotate between themselves. What has been decided is that Moshe Gura is going to be in the third slot, today serving as the principal of Yeshivas Beit Shmuel. He is moving up from fourth slot as a result of Pindrus’ departure. Chassidic List Submitted to Election Committee in Rehovot Mayoral Race The chassidish -social list – Agudas Yisrael headed by Pinchas Humminer was submitted Wednesday morning to the Rehovot Election Committee. Humminer: “We set off with a leading team that will bring a huge line [of voters] to the streets.” The list, supported by circles and communities, is composed of well-known public figures in the city. Pinchas Humminer, 42, a former member of Rehovot’s municipal council and responsible for the municipal treasury portfolio, was placed first on the list. During his tenure he became known as one of the city’s most active elected officials. Humminer holds an equivalent BA degree in education and is one of the founders of Lesova. In second place is Ophir Azrad, a resident of the city’s HaMeida neighborhood, a social activist, an event producer and one of the founders of the Chasdei Rachamim V’Natan NGO. Attorney Shalom Weiss, a resident of the Makov neighborhood, a Rehovot public activist and owner of an attorney’s office in the real estate field, was in third place. In fourth place was Eli Teitelbaum, chairman of Hatzoloh Rehovot, and her serves as an active volunteer in Magen David Adom. The first quintet is closed by IDF Major (reserves) Yaakov Weintraub of the Poalei Agudas Yisrael community, a well-known and popular figure in the streets. Pinchas Humminer said when the list was submitted: “We have now submitted the winning social list under my leadership. We came to work for the residents of Rehovot, and B’ezras Hashem, and with your help, the residents of the city will enter the city council as a large and leading faction and an influential social force that will transform the city in all areas.” Humminer added they will work to increase free parking areas in the city and significantly improve the cleanliness around the city and provide an address to every resident with a problem. In recent years, Humminer has handled about 2,000 requests for assistance from residents. Support for Haifa Mayor Yahav May Bring an End to Chareidi Achdus in the City As municipal elections around the country near, it appears the chareidim are incapable of backing a single candidate for the good of the tzibur at large, preferring to

Deutsch Campaign Working Against Deri & Leon To Gain Rav Cohen’s Support Shas party chairman, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri, is working hard to persuade Chacham HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Cohen Shlita, head of the Moetzas Gedolei Torah of Shas, to officially endorse Jerusalem mayoral candidate Moshe Leon. In the Ashkenazi camp, Degel Hatorah officials are negotiating with Yossi Deutsch, the chareidi/chassidish candidate, to determine if the litvish party will support his bid to become mayor. Deutsch’s team is also working to win the support of Rav Cohen, working against Leon and his chief supporter, Aryeh Deri. In yet another development, Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who heads the Yisrael Beitenu party, is applying pressure on Deri to announce that he is officially backing Leon before Degel Hatorah reaches agreement with Deutsch, which could have an impact on Shas’ decision regarding which candidate to back. Kikar Shabbos News reports that Lieberman’s advisor on chareidi affairs, Avi Abuchatzera, who is known to be close to chareidi politics, particularly Shas, is involved in pushing the senior cabinet minister’s position. Mayoral Candidate Deutsch Hoping To Gain Degel’s Backing Jerusalem mayoral hopeful Deputy Mayor Yossi Deutsch is hoping to gain the endorsement of the Degel Hatorah litvish faction of Yahadut Hatorah. Deutsch is a member of the Agudas Yisrael chassidish faction of the chareidi party. Deutsch has recently held meetings with HaGaon HaRav Baruch Solovechik, with Kikar Shabbos News adding on Thursday, 4 Tishrei, “there have been intensive efforts [towards gaining Degel’s backing] in the past 24 hours”. Rav Solovechik is a member of the Degel rabbonim in Yerushalayim, and his approval of the candidate is critical towards the candidate receiving Degel’s support. One of the conditions for Degel’s backing will be a 50/50 list for city councilmen, half from the litvish faction and the remaining half from the chassidish faction. Kikar adds that sources close to the talks stress nothing has been finalized to date and one must realize the delicate talks can “explode” at any given time. HaGaon HaRav Ba’adani Praises Porush But Refuses To Become Officially Involved In Elad Race HaGaon HaRav Shimon Ba’adani Shlita, a member of the Shas Moetzas Chachmei HaTorah, has nothing but words of praise for Elad Mayor Yisrael Porush, but refuses to become officially involved in the machlokes surrounding the race. in his letter released on the matter, the rav addresses the elections in Elad, reminding the tzibur how much he feels Mayor Porush has assisted the community in the past five years. The letter, without a doubt, is a most unwelcome introduction into the race as Rav Ba’adani sits on the Shas Torah Council, but party chairman, Aryeh Deri, is working tenaciously to oust Porush. Deri feels the city, which is predominately Sephardi, should be run by a Sephardi mayor, negotiating with Degel Hatorah to reach agreement. The talks are trilateral, concerning Elad, Beit Shemesh and Yerushalayim. While Degel and Shas have not yet reached agreement, they both want to get Porush out of office. Rav Ba’adani uses the letter to explain how Porush has been working “quietly and effectively, avoiding machlokes” during his tenure. He concludes expressing his hope that the “quiet will return and continue in Elad”. Rosenthal Fighting For His Political Career In Telshe Stone The long-time Mayor of Telshe Stone, Avraham Rosenthal, has made

Chareidi Achdus Around Shas Candidate In Maalot Elections There is achdus among the chareidim in one municipality, the northern municipality of Maalot, where the tzibur will be backing the Shas candidate, Rav Shlomo Sussia. In the second slot is Rav Tuvia Glazer. While the chareidim do not represent a significant population in the city, it is somewhat refreshing to report on achdus in one venue regarding the upcoming municipal elections. A “kinnos achdus” was held on Monday, 23 Elul, in the home of Rav Gil Ben-Shoshan, with the participation of MKs Michael Michaeli and Yinon Azoulai, both of Shas. At the gathering, it was decided and agreed upon that Sussia will be backed by chareidi residents, Ashkenazim and Sephardim alike. This will undoubtedly strengthen Shas and the chareidim in the city. Also present for the event were Rav David Levi (director of the talmid torah), Rav Oded Netzani (Rav of Kehillas S’dei Tzofim), Rav Shlomo Sussia (Shas head in the northern city), and Rav Tuvia Glazer (the second slot candidate). Degel Talks About A Divorce – Litzman Fires Back Degel Hatorah officials continue talking about running apart from the chassidish Agudas Yisrael faction of Yahadut Hatorah in the Jerusalem municipal elections, as well as in some other cities. Deputy Health Minister (Agudas Yisrael) Yaakov Litzman, who is affiliated with the Gerrer Chassidus, fires back. During his address at a Gerrer event on Sunday evening, Litzman rejected statements from Degel officials that they were being discriminated against by the chassidish Agudas Yisrael faction. He also denied an “internal split” within Agudas Yisrael and threatened Degel with breaking the agreement in place with Degel Hatorah in Bnei Brak. “They shouldn’t threaten us with splitting,” Litzman said in his speech, adding a threat of his own: “If we do not go together in coordination in Jerusalem, we will not go together in coordination with Bnei Brak.” As for the size of the Litvish party, Litzman said, “It makes no sense that Degel is bigger than Agudah. Did you hear of any epidemic among the chassidim? “I heard something else,” continued Litzman. “I heard that there is a serious split among the litvish, and that Belz and other groups joined us.” At the end of his speech, Litzman continued to rely on the old agreement in Yahadut Hatorah, saying that “Maran HaRav Shach ZT”L and the Pnei Menachem ZT”L decided the split would be 60:40 and there has not been any change from this.” Aryeh King Speaks Out Against Berkowitz’s Hisorarus Party Aryeh King, chairman of the Me’uchadim (United) faction and running for slots on the Jerusalem City Council, attacks the Hisorarus list that was revealed Sunday evening in a gathering of party activities, led by party chairman, Ofir Berkowitz. King opposed the appointment of Aliza Arens, the daughter of former Foreign Minister Moshe Arens: “The cat is out of the bag. For those who are still unclear, the appointment of Aliza Arens, who is affiliated with the New Israel Fund, makes it clear that there is no difference between Hisorarus and Meretz. “As a member of the previous council, I often found myself pausing in the face of Ofir Berkowitz’s votes on clauses that undermine Israel’s sovereignty in Jerusalem and undermines the positive Jewish demographic balance that has existed in the city since

The Peleg Yerushalmi, which represents those members of the chareidi litvish community who broke away from Degel Hatorah, is working to expand its political base. This means a new strategy is brewing in the upcoming municipal elections. One of the cities in which the Peleg feels it has grown significantly is Beit Shemesh, and as such, it is going to run its own list in its quest for representation on the city council. In addition, while efforts to reach agreement continue between Degel Hatorah and the Shlomei Emunim faction of Agudas Yisrael, the Peleg is also weighing announcing its own mayoral candidate rather than backing the incumbent, Moshe Abutbul, who in all likelihood will be backed by the other chareidi parties. Such a move would significantly assist the mayoral campaign of Abutbul’s main contender, Dr. Aliza Bloch, who represents the non-chareidi residents of the city, herself being a member of the dati leumi community. According to a BeChadrei Chareidim report, the Bnei Torah party, which represents the Peleg, is now building its list for the Beit Shemesh race. In the last municipal elections the Peleg ran its own list in the Jerusalem race and earned one seat at the council table, Chaim Epstein, who is one of the city’s deputy mayors. With Degel working hard to significantly increase its representation on the city council, the planned Peleg move will undoubtedly sabotage Degel’s dream for this election. Peleg leaders in Beit Shemesh explain many supporters live in Beit Shemesh today, confident they can receive sufficient votes to place Yisrael Silberstein at the city council table along with a second person. BeChadrei adds that Peleg leaders in the city have made contact with leaders of the Breslov community as well as the leaders of the chareidi zealots, who affiliate with the Peleg supporters in Meah Shearim in Yerushalayim. Should the negotiations prove successful, Peleg will be a voice to be heard in the next Beit Shemesh City Council. Regarding the mayoral candidate, the Peleg appears to be searching for the candidate who will represent compromise between Abutbul of Shas and Bloch, amid an awareness the candidate doesn’t have a chance of getting in, but would possibly succeed in preventing Abutbul from being elected for another term. BeChadrei explains that what has elicited the ire of Peleg leaders in the city is a clause in the proposed agreement between Degel and Abutbul that would halt funding “for non-relevant institutions in neighborhoods”, which Peleg understands is Degel’s planned cut of funding for Peleg mosdos. The report concludes that senior Peleg officials in the city explain their candidate would also enjoy the support of many disgruntled Abutbul voters who do not wish to support his opponent, Aliza Bloch. This is the case with devout Breslov chassidim and the members of the zealot (Kano’im) tzibur. In short, despite the ongoing talks that have been taking place between the chareidi parties vis-à-vis the Beit Shemesh elections, if the Peleg faction does as it appears it is going to, it will radically change the realities pertaining to Abutbul’s effort to be elected for a third term as well as the makeup of the city council vis-à-vis the chareidi parties. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

It’s really old news repeating itself, that ahead of national or municipal elections, Deputy Ministers Meir Porush of the Shlomei Emunim faction of Agudas Yisrael, and Yaakov Litzman, representing the Gerrer Chassidus in Agudas Yisrael, are exchanging blows. This time in the context up the upcoming municipal elections, efforts to strike deals with the litvish Degel Hatorah faction and the Beit Shemesh race. During a meeting of Agudas Yisrael’s Committee of Eight, with both of the above-mentioned individuals serving on it, they began the exchange of accusations and cross-accusations surrounding the Beit Shemesh elections. The unfriendly exchange was in Yiddish, as it was stated in the agreement between Degel Hatorah and Shlomei Emunim; the incumbent, Shas Mayor Moshe Abutbul will be backed by Degel in his reelection bid and in the next elections, in 5784, the slot will go to Shlomei Emunim. Litzman began, and is quoted having said, “I object to the agreement. You lied to me saying there was no agreement with Degel Hatorah. You lied to me eight months ago regarding an agreement with Degel Hatorah [back in 2013], and later on it became clear that you went with Degel in the Beit Shemesh elections. Porush: You closed with Abutbul without consulting with us and without convening the Committee of Eight. Litzman: I only closed [a deal] with Abutbul after it became clear you closed [a deal] with Degel. At the end of their exchange of accusations, Litzman asked that he, and not Porush, finalize the deal with Degel Hatorah. In his words, after the decision to go united, with Agudas Yisrael, there is no reason that Litzman will not back the agreement. Porush calmed his colleague down, clarifying that the mayoral slot in the 5784 elections will not be given to ‘Shlomei Emunim’ but it will be given to ‘Agudas Yisrael’, and at the moment of truth, the identity of the candidate will be decided upon. The committee is composed of Deputy Ministers Yaakov Litzman (Gur) and Meir Porush (Shlomei Emunim), Agudas CEO Yosel Kopparberg, Bnei Brak Mayor Chanoch Zeibert (Gerre), Deputy Jerusalem Mayor Yossi Deutsch (Shlomei Emunim), MK Yisrael Eichler (Belz), Shmelka Halpert (Vishnitz), Yaakov Tessler (Vishnitz) and askan Reuven Breish (Belz). (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

Tzoros For Degel Hatorah In Modi’in Illit – Is The Party Crumbling In The Litvish City? Degel Hatorah is still working to cut deals in a number of cities ahead of municipal elections, however, all is not going as party officials would like. In Modi’in Illit, the Degel branch has split, with some backing Mayor Yaakov Gutterman and some are now his opponents. In fact, Degel has split three ways. In Modi’in Illit, representatives of Brechfeld from Degel Hatorah; Avraham Weiss and Avinoam Shiffman, who are identified with the Degel Brechfeld list, have received a bracha from the neighborhood’s rav, HaGaon HaRav Zikerman ahead of elections. The list which feared was going to be rejected due to the split into a group opposing Mayor Gutterman, was quick to announce the establishment of an independent list, which will represent the Brechfeld tzibur. The new list received a bracha from the mora d’asra. As will be recalled, prior to the local elections, the procedure was that every council member must define in a council meeting his affiliation to any of the factions in the council, in a process called “identification.” On the day of identification itself, each council member is entitled to declare his membership in any faction, regardless of the faction to which he was elected in the previous elections. The number of faction members derived from the identification process is critical to the continuation of the election process. But in all the cities where a vote of identification was made, the members identified themselves as appropriate. In Modi’in Illit, Mayor Yaakov Gutterman refused to align with the party’s decision and change from what was accepted in the past, when the party’s representative was Gutterman himself. There are now three lists. The first is Mayor Gutterman, Moshe Muterprel and Nachum Nitler, comprising the Degel Hatorah Association headed by Gutterman. The second list is Councilman Yaakov Wallerstein, declaring himself an independent list together with attorney Gronich. Councilmen Ori Yaffa, Mordechai Goldberg, Moshe Shiffman and Avi Weiss align with Degel Hatorah and its leader, Moshe Gafne. Shas Unofficially Endorses Leon In Jerusalem Mayoral Race One can only speculate who Shas will officially endorse in the upcoming Jerusalem mayoral race, but it is known that privately, party chairman Minister Aryeh Deri supports candidate Moshe Leon. While Shas has yet to officially announce its support for any of the candidates, Chacham HaGaon HaRav Shlomo Cohen Shlita, head of the Moetzas Gedolei Torah of Shas met with Leon on Monday evening, the eve of 17 Elul, and this all but signals the party will officially back him in the race sooner or later. The meeting is important for Leon, for in addition to Shas’ backing, he hopes to receive the support of Degel Hatorah as well. Agudas Yisrael will certainly back Yossi Deutsch in the race. For now, the public waits to see if and when Deri will make an official announcement, but most party loyalists will interpret the meeting between Rav Cohen and Leon as signaling Shas support. Rabbi Amsellem’s Am Shalem Party Backs Elkin In Jerusalem Mayoral Race The Am Shalem party headed by Rabbi Chaim Amsellem, has announced it is backing Minister Ze’ev Elkin’s bid to become the next mayor of Jerusalem. Amsellem, who was ousted from the Shas party, tried entering Knesset

MKs from the Degel Hatorah faction in Knesset, including Moshe Gafne, Uri Maklev, and Yaakov Asher, will be convening on Monday afternoon in the hope of reaching a decision pertaining to a document of understanding. The document pertains to a deal with the Shlomei Emunim faction following which, a meeting is planned with that faction’s head, Deputy Minister Meir Porush. According to a Kikar Shabbos report, the three convened at 3:00PM in the faction’s office on Kahaneman Street in Bnei Brak to discuss the draft agreement. Local Degel representatives will also take part in the Degel headquarters meeting as the draft agreement addresses both Beit Shemesh and Elad. If and when the draft is approved, as is expected will be the case, it will be passed to Shlomei Emunim with suggested changes, which will differ from previous oral agreements. If and when Agudas Yisrael approvers it, then Porush will sign the agreement, but only after it is approved by all factions of Agudas Yisrael, not just Shlomei Emunim. It appears, at least for the time being, that the mayoral slot in Elad will be in the hands of Degel and the current mayor, Yisrael Porush, will serve as deputy mayor and oversee the building and planning portfolios. The general-manager of the city will be in Agudas Yisrael’s hands, and in five years, the following municipal elections, Porush will return to his mayoral post. Regarding Beit Shemesh, in the term immediately following this election, Degel will back the Shlomei Emunim candidate for mayor. In addition, Shlomei will hold the deputy mayoral post. Degel is demanding the education, planning & construction, transportation, and community centers portfolios. This is in addition to a promise to appoint an Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi to the city, which has only had a Sephardi Chief Rabbi to date. To the amazement of some, including the Shas party, the deal-making continues to the exclusion of the Sephardi chareidi party, who mayor continues serving, and who won the last elections despite formidable challenges, including a court-ordered reelection. However, without the support of the Ashkenazi chareidi tzibur in Beit Shemesh, litvish and chassidish alike, Abutbul’s chances of reelection drop significantly. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

After the deals made between Degel Hatorah and Shlomei Emunim in Elad and Beit Shemesh were publicized, Shas officials expressed anger, insisting their interests and their wish lists have been ignored. Party officials explain that the Sephardi chareidi party has totally been ignored in the deal-making between Degel Hatorah and Shlomei Emunim. A senior party official is quoted by Kikar Shabbos News stating, “We lost Elad for ten years,” adding, “It is no secret that the name Yossi Sheetrit has fallen from the agenda, and now, they are talking about Yitzchak Pindrus. After all, regarding Sheetrit, it remains to be seen if this is an achievement, for after all, he is a Degel litvish candidate, and Pindrus, how does this relate to Shas? More than this, not only during the current term, but the next term, when the city will return to Shlomei Emunim in line with the agreement – and this is a Sephardi city, simply a closeout sale!” Another senior official is quoted: “If we thought we were just losing Elad, in the next term, Beit Shemesh is lost to the Ashkenazim too. And all of this in negotiations that involved Shas? How can we look at our voters? We sold the chareidi cities to Yahadut Hatorah”. Knesset members in the party are also frustrated by the conduct of senior officials in Deri’s office, who conducted the negotiations, but prefer to keep quiet, so as not to cause tension on the eve of fateful elections for the party. “The same people are now bringing to a foregone loss, what a shame,” a senior party official concluded. “After all, Deri has promised repeatedly that he will run a Sephardic candidate in Elad. We’ll see what happens now.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

The Vaad of Eight of Agudas Yisrael is meeting in Bnei Brak on Monday evening, 9 Elul, ahead of municipal elections around Israel, including chareidi cities and municipalities. The meeting will take place in the shadow of increasingly audible threats from Degel Hatorah of running its own candidate in Haifa, breaking deals with the Agudas Yisrael-affiliated Shlomei Emunim faction, and machlokes in a number of cities including Elad, Beit Shemesh, and of course, Yerushalayim. The committee is composed of Deputy Ministers Yaakov Litzman (Gur) and Meir Porush (Shlomei Emunim), Agudas CEO Yosel Kopparberg, Bnei Brak Mayor Chanoch Zeibert (Gerre), Deputy Jerusalem Mayor Yossi Deutsch (Shlomei Emunim), MK Yisrael Eichler (Belz), Shmelka Halpert (Vishnitz), Yaakov Tessler (Vishnitz) and askan Reuven Breish (Belz). At the meeting, the members are expected to map the cities across the country pertaining to the balance of power of all parties and collaborations everywhere. It should be noted that at times, additional members join the various discussions, in a professional manner, in order to broaden the perspective on the various issues that arise on the negotiating table. In this meeting, it is expected that the statements of the sister-faction, representing the litvish tzibur, Degel Hatorah; which threatens to break the national “deal” with Shlomi Emunim, will appear, as well as to discuss its plans to run separately in Haifa elections. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

If one believes Degel Hatorah and Shas will automatically endorse Yossi Deutsch in the Jerusalem mayoral race because he is the only chareidi candidate, one is mistaken. In fact, both parties have yet to announced who they will back, and both are still contemplating running their own candidate. It appears that once again, the chareidim will not be united and many fear, as in previous elections, divisions in the camp will open the door for secular candidate Ofir Berkowitz of the Hisorarus party, who is among the leaders in the race. Berkowitz would implement policies similar to outgoing mayor, Nir Barkat. Despite the fact that Deputy Mayor Yossi Deutsch has officially announced his candidacy in the Jerusalem mayoral race, the Shas and Degel Hatorah parties have yet to announce which candidate they will back in the elections. Many meetings continue to take place, both on the local and national level, but the parties have yet to announce if they will endorse the chareidi candidate. Eliezer Ruchberger, who run the local branch of Degel Hatorah and is close to national party chairman, MK Moshe Gafne, told Kikar Shabbos News, that the litvish tzibur, including Shas, can successfully place ensure that candidate Moshe Leon will become the next mayor of the city. Without the backing of Degel Hatorah and Shas, it remains questionable if Deutsch can emerge successful in the mayoral race. They feel that Leon, who is Shomer Shabbat but not chareidi, will have an easier time advancing projects for the chareidi public, more so than Deutsch, who himself is chareidi. They refer particularly to the planned construction of over 20,000 apartment units recently approved in the capital, hoping many of these units will be allocated for chareidi housing. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

One might argue that one thing that aggravates and angers Degel Hatorah chairman MK Moshe Gafne more than Peleg protests outside his home, and that is the lack of achdus from within Degel. It turns out that under the cover of the relative quiet outwardly, a revolution may be developing from within the Litvish party, as some are trying to challenge the political leadership and circumvent it by creating facts on the ground, Kikar Shabbos News is reporting. On Thursday night, before Gafni went on a vacation, he asked to see the article written covering the meeting of the Degel Hatorah leadership which was held last Wednesday in Bnei Brak, to make certain it was written as he requested. Gafne sat for five hours together with MKs Yaakov Asher and Uri Maklev during the afternoon hours with the editor of Yated, Yisrael Freidman, and journalist Sachi Munk, reviewing the article. However, on erev Shabbos, Gafne learned, to his chagrin, that changes were made regarding statements attributed to him pertaining to the elections in Jerusalem and Elad. Gafni is currently leading a process by which Degel Hatorah is demanding that Shlomei Emunim abide by the existence of the agreement regarding the city of Elad, as it is written. At the meeting of the board, Gafni demanded that the agreement be honored and within a few days to try to locate a suitable candidate for Degel for the position and to formally announce his candidacy. HaGaon Rav Yosef Efrati Shlita reportedly backs this demand. Gafni expected that this demand would be reflected in the party newspaper on Friday, but this was not the case. The revolt in Degel Hatorah seems to be gaining support from day to day, but in reality, few have what it takes to stand openly in defiance of Gafne, like Deputy Bnei Brak Mayor Menachem Shapira, who does not accept the decision of HaRav Yehuda Silman Shlita, who was appointed by the party to meet with the relevant parties and mediate regarding the Elections in Elad and the effort by the incumbent, Yisrael Porush of Shlomei Emunim, to seek another term. Shapira and others feel Gafne is shooting from the hip and not acting in the good of the party, while Gafne and his supporters are furious as the dissension from within only serves to strengthen Degel’s opponents. “Who has ever heard of a political party that has a signed agreement without a reciprocal consideration is delusional and an unfortunate person,” said Gafne’s associates. On the other hand, the supporters of Porush argue: “This is an excellent mayor who helped the Litvish tzibur, and there is no reason to replace him, as he serves our interests and it is good that he continue for another term. Enough with poor political recklessness that is concerned with personal and not public interests. “We have received quite a lot of loyalty from Shlomei, not only in Elad – but across the country, including the existence of the Norwegian agreement and joint control of Chinuch Atzmai, there is a price that must be paid, and we must pay it in an honorable way. The main thing is to safeguard the interests of the tzibur”. “Porush is liked and loved, especially since there is no candidate in line, so we have to give

As expected, the secretariat of Agudas Yisrael has given its approval for Yossi Deutsch to become a candidate in the Jerusalem mayoral race. The forum convened on Tuesday, and gave its approval for Deutsch, in the hope he will be viewed as the ‘chareidi candidate’ and thereby enjoy backing from all the chareidi camps, chassidish, litvish and Sephardim alike. Chairman of the Agudas Yisrael Center in Jerusalem, Deputy Education Minister Meir Porush said during the meeting that “it is clear that Agudas Yisrael alone cannot muster the maximum number of votes. We must work in full cooperation and coordination with the Degel Hatorah faction, as we have been campaigning together for nearly thirty years in Jerusalem, Bnei Brak and the Knesset. I am certain that this time we will reach full agreement and as one brigade we will enlist the support of all the Torah-observant publics in the city.” This said, prior to the meeting, Degel Hatorah officials announced they are still contemplating their own ‘litvish’ candidate in the Jerusalem mayoral race, a move that would undoubtedly split the chareidi vote. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

The secretariat of the Jerusalem branch of the Agudas Yisrael will convene Tuesday, 12 Menachem Av for a special meeting to discuss preparations for the upcoming Jerusalem municipal elections, which will be held in another three and a half months. It is expected that the official body will give the green light for Deputy Mayor Yossi Deutsch to run for mayor. This is the last hurdle before Deutsch’s officially announces his candidacy in the race. If approved to run as expected, Deutsch will obviously expect to receive the votes of the chassidish factions, hoping as well to become the candidate of the litvish Degel Hatorah faction and Shas as well. One would assume that the chareidim will support the only chareidi candidate in the race. His candidacy will all but ensure that Ze’ev Elkin or Moshe Leon will not receive the chareidi votes, however, this is yet to be determined since the last time a chareidi ran for mayor in the city, the chareidim were split. Due to the strong opposition by Yaakov Litzman, who would not back his political nemesis, Meir Porush, the chassidim did not back Porush in the race and Nir Barkat was elected due to the split in the chareidi camp, now completing his second and last term in office as he announced he will not be seeking reelection. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

In the shadow of the Ashkenazi struggle at the Telz Stone local council, Shas chairman Minister Aryeh Deri decided that for a first time, the Sephardi faction would run its own list for seats on the local council. At present, efforts are ongoing in Kiryat Yearim/Telz Stone to oust the incumbent council head, Avraham Rosenthal. Shas’ intention to run a new party against the Ashkenazi list in the council threatens to further undermine the fragile unity of the Yishuv. So far, Shas has does not have representation on the council, as voters in the community are primarily affiliated with the litvish Degel Hatorah faction of Yahadut Hatorah. According to a Kikar Shabbos News report, in the national elections, Shas received about 250 votes in the community, which would leave the party with one seat on the local council if it runs its own list. First, Shas will attempt to get representation on the existing list, and if this is unsuccessful, Deri is signaling Shas will run on its own. This opens yet another front where there is machlokes and no achdus, as is the case in Elad and Beit Shemesh. Rather than chareidi parties banning together, they too are fractionalized, as is the case in the dati leumi camp. MK Michael Malchieli, appointed by Shas to take responsibility for achieving Shas’ political aspirations in Telz Stone, is quoted telling Kikar News: “After years of neglect, Shas will be present in the upcoming elections in the community, but we will insist on accepting our political right that is due to us by law and not by grace.” (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)

With about four months until municipal elections, the chareidi community is yet to announce its candidate in the Jerusalem mayoral race. While Minister Ze’ev Elkin promotes himself as the Likud candidate, the party’s Jerusalem branch is divided and has already challenged Elkin’s claim to be the official party candidate. Elkin has asked Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to publicly endorse him, but this is yet to occur. The incumbent, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat has however come out in support of Elkin. Another major candidate is Moshe Leon, who is also trying to obtain PM Netanyahu’s endorsement, or at the very least, Netanyahu refraining from endorsing Elkin. Regarding the chareidi tzibur, the situation in he Jerusalem race is complicated. With some 100,000 eligible chareidi voters in the city, the backing of the sector is relevant in order to score a victory in the mayoral race. While many names have been dropped regarding the race, the candidates who seem to have a realistic chance in the race include Elkin and Leon, as well as Ofir Berkowitz (Hisorarus), Yossi Deutsch (Yahadut Hatorah) and Rachel Azariya, the Kulanu party MK who abandoned her seat in the Jerusalem City Council to enter Knesset. The division in the chareidi camp in the last elections have opened the door to Barkat, as well as his reelection to a second term. Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Yossi Deutsch is aware without official chareidi backing, he will not run in the race. While he has signaled a desire to run as the chareidi candidate, he has not received official backing from either the litvish or chassidish camps. Both Elkin and Leon have been visiting different rebbes and rabbonim, each working hard to earn the chareidi backing they seek. Both Leon and Elkin are Shomer Shabbos, and it remains to be seen who the chareidi tzibur will endorse, or alternatively, run with a chareidi candidate such as Deutsch. (YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)