Having been assigned the responsibility of heading the Shas election campaign, shortly after announcing the co-leadership of Shas with Eli Yishai, Aryeh Deri phoned Chaim Biton, the director of Mosdos Migdal Ohr, asking him to undertake managing the election campaign, which he agreed to do, Kikar Shabbat reports.

Biton has been running the mosdos of HaTzaddik HaRav Yitzchok Dovid Grossman for over a decade and is known to be a close associate of Deri. Those in the know add that it is an excellent choice since Biton is well-seasoned, and in the past, has played a vital role in Shas elections campaigns, albeit behind the scenes.

Aides to Deri however deny that the appointment was finalized as the report states; admitting Deri is considering Biton but adding the deal has not been closed.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)