Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Barkat. Religious-Zionism's pick
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Rabbi Eliyahu backs Barkat in Jerusalem elections
Former chief rabbi of Israel endorses secular candidate Nir Barkat in mayoral race, says Barkat better candidate than ultra-Orthodox opponent Porush
While the capital's ultra-Orthodox community mulls the possibility of former Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri's possible mayoral candidacy, one of Jerusalem's head rabbis is surprisingly voicing support for secular candidate Nir Barkat.
Former Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, the National Religious Party's highest authority on halacha and
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Eliyahu, 79, served as Israel's chief rabbi until 15 years ago. In recent years his relations with the NRP have waned, however the rabbi's influence is still tangible in many of Jerusalem's religious neighborhoods, including Kiryat Moshe, in which Mercaz Harav yeshiva is located.
In recent months a relationship has been brewing between Eliyahu and his head secretary, Rabbi Shmuel Zafrani, and Barkat. Zafrani and Barkat have even reportedly met to study Torah together. However Rabbi Eliyahu has so far refrained from making any public statements professing support for Barkat.
One of the central issues on the candidates' plates is the appointment of a head rabbi in Jerusalem. Barkat is currently vying for the election of a Religious-Zionist rabbi, against the ultra-Orthodox community's demands that a rabbi from their order be appointed.
In response to the rabbi's statement Barkat said, "I am touched by the support and would like to thank Rabbi Eliyahu for his belief in me. Throughout recent years I have been blessed to spend many hours in his company. We worked together to promote significant issues in Jerusalem, like the appointment of a Religious-Zionist head rabbi for the city."
On Wednesday Shas Chairman Eli Yishai announced that his party would support the candidacy of former chairman Aryeh Deri, in the event that he decides to run for mayor.
Deri is currently consulting different legal officials in an effort to determine whether his moral turpitude he was sentenced to after being convicted of a number of criminal offences can be expunged from his record, in which case he would be allowed to run for office.
Meanwhile the ultra-Orthodox candidate Meir Porush has been courting Shas' spiritual leader, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. Porush met with Yosef earlier this week, but has not yet received any official statement on the rabbi's behalf.
Kobi Nahshoni contributed to this report
