Moshe Leon was believed to be the chareidi candidate in the Jerusalem mayoral race but it appears that cross the board chareidi backing for the Shas candidate is not a sure bet at present. Just days ago it was assumed that Leon enjoyed the backing of Agudas Yisrael as well, but now it seems that there are some who are sitting on the fence, looking in the direction of the incumbent, Nir Barkat.

The daily HaMevaser run by MK Meir Porush, who heads the Shlomei Emunim faction of Agudah, is signaling a possible shift in the party line towards Barkat. It is ironic perhaps that Porush may be leading a split in the chareidi camp when such a split led to his defeat in his bid for City Hall in the last election, losing to Barkat.

However, Porush’s newspaper is now signaling that while supporting a shomer Shabbos candidate is preferable, it is not compulsory. This and other statements leave an open door for his Shlomei Emunim faction to back a candidate other than Leon.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)