Jerusalem is electing a new mayor this upcoming November but the present mayor Uri Lupolianski isn't even sure if wants to step down our get re - elected.
However, several candidates have opened their election campaigns and the media is only concentrating on two particular candidates. Those two are Me'ir Porush from the Agudah and Ariyeh Deri from the sephardi - haredi SHASS - party.
It is most likely that the secular candidate Nir Barkat is going to win. However, the Haredim see a chance to take over the city. And, as usual, there are plenty of fights within haredi society about who is supporting whom. So far, Me'ir Porush hasn't had the support of the litvishe Rabbi Yosef Shalom Eliyashiv because the Rabbi and Porush had an argument some time ago. Now there are claims that the two of them made peace. Apparently Me'ir Porush "went to Canossa" and apologized to Rabbi Eliyashiv.
Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef is, how else could it be, supporting his sephardi candidate Aryeh Deri.
Many inhabitants of Jerusalem are worried about the two haredi candidates. Especially the secular population. Until now, Jerusalem has always been tolerant to anyone and people managed to live next to each other. For the past few years, more and more neighbourhoods seem to be taken over by Haredim and thus the secular are moving out. The secular fear that the Haredim want to force them into religion and show their worries openly.
Jerusalem is a place for all Jews and who would be the best candidate representing ALL Jews ? Additionally, Olmert is planning to divide our city and who would be the best candidate to fight such a decision ?
Jerusalem has always been complicated and so are the elections. According to the latest polls, Nir Barkat is going to win. Me'ir Porush from the Agudah won't have the slightest chance and the sephardi Aryeh Deri ? Who knows ?
For many voters he still is a criminal who has never apologized or admitted his crimes of bribery and money laundering.
Me'ir Porush and his election campaign
B"H
ReplyDeleteMe'ir Porush claims in an interview to the religious radio channel "Radio Kol Chai" that he wasn't allowed to see Rabbi Eliyashiv in order to apologize.
So far, no reason has been given why he was denied to see the Rabbi.