As the election for chief rabbis of Yerushalayim draws near, scheduled for 27 Tishrei, the dati leumi community is calling on its representatives not to cut a deal with the chareidim. Prof. Asher HaCohen, a member of the faculty of Bar Ilan University is one such voice, calling on the leaders of the Bayit Yehudi party to cease remaining silent and work to advance Zionist rabbonim.

Prof. HaCohen explains this rabbinate race in the capital is a glaring example of the dati leumi party’s failures and is calling on party leader Naftali Bennett and others to do more to advance the position of Zionist rabbonim in officials appointments. He adds that the chareidim will resort to trickery and any other means to prevent Rabbi Stern’s elections, not to mention that adamant opposition to Rabbi Chaim Amsellem as Sephardi Chief Rabbi of the city.

HaCohen believes the worrisome quiet from Bayit Leumi leaders is the result of behind-the-scenes deal-making and he is urging the party to abandon all deals and run with two dati leumi candidates despite the pressure from chareidim. The professor’s voice is echoed by Jerusalem Councilman Aryeh King, who feel the community must do everything possible to elect two Zionist rabbis in Yerushalayim, adding “we must not reward Aryeh Deri with a prize; a chief rabbi that will be a puppet in his hands”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)