After meeting with the party’s rabbonim, the decision has been made by Degel Hatorah to enter into negotiations with Beit Shemesh Mayor Moshe Abutbul as the party decides if it will support his reelection bid or run its own candidate. There are fears if another chareidi candidates competes with Abutbul, the votes will be split and chareidim will lose control of the growing chareidi city.

However, it is clear that before Degel throws its support behind the Shas-affiliated mayor, it is negotiating to see what promises it will receive to persuade the faction to support the incumbent.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)