From the left: HaRav Nosson Zochovsky, HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, HaRav Berel Povarsky, HaRav Gershon Edelstein, HaRav Dov Lando, HaRav Dovid Cohen
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Since the chareidi community is such a significant portion of the electorate in Jerusalem, even Berkowitz, who is the champion of the secular community in Jerusalem, made an appeal for chareidi votes. In fact the Peleg-Eitz community supported him in their official newspaper, although no rabbonim signed on the endorsement.
Moshe Leon enjoyed the official support of the Shas and Degel Hatorah parties. Agudas Yisroel did not officially endorse any candidate.
Image of HaRav Chaim used in election material
The Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah of Degel HaTorah came out very strongly in favor of Moshe Leon. HaRav Chaim Kanievsky and HaRav Gershon Edelstein both attended election rallies and said that everyone in Jerusalem should vote for Moshe Leon. Speaking at one of the rallies, HaRav Edelstein said that they considered the alternatives very carefully and determined that al pi din Torah the correct thing is to support Moshe Leon.
The results were the Moshe Leon won with 51% of the votes to Ofer Berkowitz's 49%. Leon announced that he would be the mayor of all Jerusalem and hoped to work with all the members of the city council.
Tzachi Magnagi tells of the pre-election discussions with Ofer Berkowitz and members of the Mizrachi community: "After an extended meeting with Ofer in the presence of two of his people who were included in the contacts, and one other neutral partner, we understood that we aren't going to succeed in nearing a solution about those issues important to us, especially that of East Jerusalem and the signing with the Reform. In a talk with rabbonim considered very moderate regarding religious Zionism, these two subjects were brought up as a precondition [for an agreement] but those people stood their ground and refused to compromise. We understood then that the breach regarding the subject of fundamental principles of the Coalition was vast.
Image of HaRav Gershon used in election material
"They did not provide a satisfactory answer from our part about the issue of Shabbat, the unification of Jerusalem and the Reform movement since these represented too much of conciliation on our part and their policies are flatly incompatible with the ideals we believe in. We told this to Ofer, who refused to accept this, which is legitimate on his part since it represents a principle versus a principle and he is fully justified in maintaining his system of values. In the end, on Wednesday evening, we understood that there was no recourse but to waive the generous offer of arousal and support for the candidate with whom we would feel secure in these issues and not fear that the municipality would approve a budget for the establishment of a Reform center in Jerusalem."
During negotiations, Berkowitz refused to back down on his plans and commitments to recognize the Reform movement since it was a principle, as was recognized and specified by HaRav Moshe Hillel Hirsch in the emergency meeting in the home of HaRav Gershon Eidelstein: `This is not a political world-view but one that is grounded in his faith and beliefs: malice against religion.'
"But there are those who are prepared to shut their eyes and desensitize themselves on purpose against poisoned vague promises. The bold youth [i.e. Berkowitz] who led the demonstrations of Yesh Atid for the sake of Lapid's cry for equality in sharing the load of national responsibility in the draft, and dreams of a Reform center like the idol which is liable to be placed in the Heichal like a bleeding wound from the heart of Jerusalem and its core. He builds on the hypocrisy of myopic who refuse to recognize him for what he is. We are not referring at all to those whose rabbinical leaders ordered their adherents to act one way or another, chas v'shalom."
In other races, in Tzfas the candidate backed by Degel HaTorah and Shas also won. His opponent is a Breslover chassid, who has not worked at all with other chareidi communities in his city.
