Representative of the Bnei Torah party in Yerushalayim, which represents the Peleg Yerushalmi faction, Deputy Mayor Chaim Epstein, met on Tuesday with Moshe Leon near his Rechavia home to see if there will be a meeting of the minds.

According to reports, at present, it appears the thousands of votes that the Peleg might be able to furnish are not going to either of the candidates in next week’s runoff election.

Epstein was interviewed by Kikar Shabbos News, explaining that at present, it appears the party is not going to back either candidate, and as such, Bnei Torah does not plan to “interfere in the election”.

Epstein added, “I learned one thing from Elkin, that one does not report regarding political meetings and agreements before something is signed and this is exactly the situation here”.

Many are attacking Epstein, as he is rumored to be preparing to back Ofer Berkowitz in the Jerusalem runoff election, the secular candidate. He does not go on the defensive, but rather questions why similar questions are not asked pertaining to the chareidi parties not backing the chareidi candidate in Tzefas, as some are going with the secular candidate.

He adds that for now, he sees nothing pointing to an agenda of either candidate over the other that will protect and defend kedushas Yerushalayim. “I trust Leon implicitly, but behind him are Lieberman and Deri, who betrayed Rav Shach on the most principled matter. Lieberman goes to visit the machlokes on Shabbos in Ashdod”.

Epstein stated that for now, he is sitting and watching, learning – concluding “If they need us in the coalition, I imagine they will come to me and for now, I am just sitting and not interfering.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)