Former Shas leader Rabbi Aryeh Deri on Monday busied himself visiting gedolei yisrael, having met with HaRav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv Shlita and making two visits with HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita.
Speaking with those in ?the know�, Kol Chai Radio reported on Monday night that Deri is signaling he may soon announce his candidacy in the Jerusalem mayoral race. The report added that it is not being published if the gedolim did indeed give their bracha for such an announcement, but one may "conclude? that following the three visits, Deri appears to have reached his decision.
Deri is still awaiting a decision regarding his ability to run in the race due to the moral turpitude clause of his fraud/bribery conviction that resulted in his hiatus from political life, as well as a jail term. It is being reported that Deri and his attorney have consulted with experts and he now feels confident he will be able to run since the law which determines one must remain outside of the political arena for seven years [due to the moral turpitude conviction] was only enacted after his conviction.
Actually, it was Tommy Lapid, the late Shinui Party leader, and Ophir Pines who pushed it through, adding to the five year period, aiming it specifically at Deri. Lapid, Deri�s political nemesis, did his utmost to neutralize Deri�s growing political career and widespread popularity.
Deri�s attorney has reportedly turned to the chairman of the Central Election Committee, Supreme Court Justice Eliezer Rivlin, to render a ruling on the matter to reach a final determination regarding the mayoral race. With the seven-year formula, Deri would only be clear to run in the summer of 2009, missing the municipal election by a number of months.
The entry of Deri into the chareidi political arena complicates life for Agudah candidate Rabbi Meir Porush, who has also been seeking the bracha of gedolei yisrael. Analysts are uncertain if Porush would drop out of the race if Deri officially announces his candidacy. Polls show that Deri is more likely to defeat the main opposition in the mayoral race, Councilman Nir Barkat, the non-frum candidate who enjoys widespread popularity for his efforts on behalf of the capital as an opposition councilman.
Tuesday�s daily Haaretz reports Deri�s decision is final, that he will run for mayor, adding he does enjoy the support of Rav Elyashiv.
(Yechiel Spira - YWN Israel)
http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=23231
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