While Degel Hatorah officials and rabbonim contemplate the upcoming mayoral race in Beit Shemesh, the incumbent, Mayor Moshe Abutbul received a strong letter of support from HaGaon HaRav Shalom Cohen, head of Shas’ Moetzas Chachmei Torah.

Degel Hatorah MKs Moshe Gafne and Uri Gafne have been meeting with the party’s rabbonim, as Shas is signaling Abutbul is running again. Gafne and Maklev are also expected to meet with HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky to address the mayoral race.

In his letter, Rav Cohen writes how Abutbul has done a splendid job in fulfilling a shlichus for Am Yisrael and the growing chareidi city.

There is a fear that if Degel runs with its own candidate, this would split the chareidi vote which might result in defeat at the polls on election day.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)