Gaydamak. New running mate?
Photo: Dudi Vaaknin
Deri. Announced candidacy
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Gaydamak desires Deri as running mate
Billionaire businessman announces he would like to cooperate with former Shas chairman in Jerusalem mayoral elections, as 'Deri is excellent for Jerusalem, and will make a great mayor'
Billionaire Russian-Israeli businessman Arcadi Gaydamak has announced his desire to cooperate with convicted felon Aryeh Deri in the Jerusalem mayoral elections.
"It would be a great honor for me to run with Aryeh Deri in the elections. He is a great man," Gaydamak told a Ynet reporter during an interview conducted in his hospital, Bikur Holim, in Jerusalem.
Waiting for Permission
Following days of contemplation, former Shas chairman decides to join capital’s mayoral race. In light of previous offenses carrying moral turpitude; Deri must receive president's permission to run
"Out of all the candidates, only Aryeh Deri is a good candidate for Jerusalem. And me too, of course," he added.
When asked why he had not yet launched a campaign like the other candidates, Gaydamak answered, "The day I was born I began my campaign, it's my natural way of life."
The billionaire added, "When I am mayor, and I will be mayor, I will speak excellent Hebrew." He then proceeded to diminish Nir Barkat's campaign by asking, "What's better, to put pictures on a bus or go out and listen to real people?"
Gaydamak then turned to the people employed by the hospital, who rallied around him. He asked them how their working conditions had changed since he had acquired their place of work and received many compliments, including promises to vote for him.
Upon exiting the hospital Gaydamak shouted at a passing bus, "Where is the picture of Nir Barkat? He only makes pictures." He then proceeded towards Ben Yehuda Street to meet civilians, to whom he said he believed the construction of the light train was taking too long. "It could have been done with more intelligence," he critiqued.
Meanwhile Deri's associates have been working towards affording him the opportunity to participate in the elections, from which he was banned due to the moral turpitude scarring his record.
On Friday his associates announced they had secured over 950 supporters of his candidacy for mayor – the number required for eligibility to run for the office. However Deri is still waiting for the president to approve his candidacy.
