On the way to victory? Awakening: We wanted Rabbi Amsalem, we will vote for Rabbi Amar

October 21, 2014   

The 'Hitorerut' movement in Jerusalem, which has three representatives in the electoral body, announced this afternoon (Tuesday) that it has decided to support Rabbi Amar on Rishon LeZion. "In recent days, we have worked and made great efforts to bring about the election of Rabbi Amsalem, the most suitable candidate for the position of Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, a man of moderate Judaism, who is prepared to deal with the challenges of corruption in the rabbinical establishment, and who is prepared to take a broad, non-sectarian view.".

Unfortunately, the partners in the Zionist camp who were supposed to join in such support chose not to support Rabbi Amsalem, in our view for non-value-based reasons. We deeply regret this.

We are dreamers, people with moral truth, but also connected to the ground and reality. In light of the lack of partnership from public representatives who the public that elected them expects otherwise, we are forced to make a strategic choice, to prevent the danger of electing Rabbi Eliyahu, a candidate who could jeopardize the stability of Jerusalem and the common life in the city.

"We will be elected by Rabbi Amar, we will continue to act and bring about changes with or without the rabbinical establishment, we will continue to act with integrity and courage, we hope that the moral force will grow, so that next time Jerusalem will truly elect the one who is worthy and right to be elected.".

For the awakening movement There are four council members in the Jerusalem Municipality, and three representatives in the electorate. Although two of the four council members wear a kippah, the faction is secular. The faction declared its support for Rabbi Chaim Amsalem and Rabbi Aryeh Stern, but as mentioned, decided to change its decision.

The movement's representatives in the electorate are: Einav Bar - council member; Geroni (Haia Geronia) Tzivin - niece of attorney Mordechai Tzivin and media personality Kobi Arieli; and Orly Jackson-Cohen - who is in sixth place on the Awakening list, and will enter the council next year as part of a rotation.