Degel Hatorah’s Shmuel Greenberg Elected Mayor Of Beit Shemesh

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — In a series of elections which took place in local authorities in Israel, representatives of the chareidi parties succeeded in being elected or in strengthening their political positions within the various authorities.

The most intriguing election took place in Beit Shemesh, where incumbent mayor Aliza Bloch faced up against Degel Hatorah’s Shmuel Greenberg, after a second round of elections was forced when neither candidate received more than 40% of the first vote, although both defeated former mayor and Shas candidate Moshe Aboutbul.

In the end Greenberg succeeded in uniting the chareidi population of Beit Shemesh, winning 58% of the vote and becoming Degel’s first mayor of the city, which has a significant majority of charedim after recent years of heavy growth. Rabbi Dov Landau called Greenberg and congratulated him on his victory.

In two other cities, Kiryat Gat and Ramle, the candidates supported by the charedi parties succeeded in winning. Kfir Souissa defeated incumbent Aviram Dahari after he received the support of the chareidi communities in Kiryat Gat, Dahari had warned of a chareidi “takeover” of the city if Souissa won.

Ramle mayor Michael Vidal defeated Yesh Atid candidate Yoel Lavi after he received the support of the charedim in Ramle.

In Rehovot Matan Dil, the representative of the Likud and charedim, succeeded in defeating Yesh Atid candidate Zohar Blum.

In Haifa former mayor Yona Yahav beat David Etzioni, who was supported by the chareidi parties. Yahav will return to lead the city at the age of 79 after a 5-year break.