United Torah Judaism representatives at the Jerusalem
Municipality held a meeting early this week to formulate a
stance in preparation for the coalition negotiations with the
Mayor-elect Nir Barkat.
Participants at the meeting included Rabbi Meir Porush, Rabbi
Yitzchok Pindrus, Rabbi Yosef Lok, Rabbi Avrohom Feiner,
Rabbi Yaakov Halperin, Rabbi Shlomo Malik, Rabbi Yisroel
Kellerman and Rabbi Shlomo Rosenstein, who were elected to
serve on the city council, and Rabbi Yosef Deutsch and Rabbi
Moshe Gura, who are ninth and tenth on the party list and
thus did not enter.
The lively meeting led to a decision to strive towards
preserving the status quo regarding matters of religion and
the sanctity of the holy city. Barkat made a commitment to
preserve the status quo. A comprehensive discussion was held
to formulate the party platform and the portfolios it would
demand.
Even if UTJ has to join the opposition, the party will battle
to maintain Jerusalem's Torah-true character.
A decision was also made to set up a negotiating team with
Rabbi Pindrus, Rabbi Malik and Rabbi Eliyohu Weinman of Degel
HaTorah, and Rabbi Porush, Rabbi Lok and Rabbi Rosenstein of
Agudas Yisroel.
