Degel HaTorah

March 6, 2019, 9:27 am

Jerusalem ultra-Orthodox deputy mayor won’t speak at Conservative movement venue

Degel Hatorah party leader Eliezer Rauchberger cancels appearance at real estate conference, saying he won’t have ’any connection to these heretical movements’

By Marcy Oster

MKs Yaakov Litzman, Moshe Gafni, Meir Porush and Uri Makleff signing an agreement between Degel Hatorah and Agudat Yisrael to run in the April elections as the United Torah Judaism party, January 16, 2019. (Degel Hatorah)

January 16, 2019, 5:57 pm

Ultra-Orthodox factions reunite in ‘equal’ United Torah Judaism

After ‘procedural’ breakup, Degel Hatorah and Agudat Yisrael sign new pact splitting the slate evenly for first time

By Raoul Wootliff

Rabbi Eliezer Berland (L), a convicted sex offender, meets with UTJ's Meir Porush at a Beit Shemesh wedding on January 6, 2019 (courtesy)

January 10, 2019, 5:41 pm

For votes, ultra-Orthodox MKs don’t rule out followers of sex offender rabbi

Deputy education minister seen speaking to Eliezer Berland, but both factions of the former United Torah Judaism deny intention to drum up support among fringe messianic community

By Marissa Newman

Members of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party at the Knesset on September 13, 2017 (Flash90)

January 9, 2019, 11:13 am

Ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism splits into two parties, for now

Degel Hatorah and Agudat Yisrael formally part ways, but say the breakup is only ‘procedural’ and won’t prevent them running together in April elections

By Raoul Wootliff

January 8, 2019, 11:41 pm

Sex offender rabbi ‘negotiated with deputy ministers’ for public comeback

Recording shows Eliezer Berland’s aides offering followers’ political backing in Jerusalem mayoral race in exchange for photo op with ultra-Orthodox leaders

By TOI staff

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (C), Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman (L) and United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni attend the third Shas conference at the Ramada hotel in Jerusalem on February 16, 2017. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

January 2, 2019, 10:05 pm

Ultra-Orthodox parties reportedly in talks to form electoral alliance

TV report says Netanyahu backing proposed union between Shas and UTJ in order to ensure large right-wing bloc after elections

By TOI staff

Supporters of Jerusalem mayoral candidate Moshe Lion (center) react as the preliminary results of the mayoral race are announced, November 13, 2018. (Yonatan Sindel/FLASH90)

November 14, 2018, 2:55 am

Lion declares he’s won Jerusalem mayoral race, but rival says it’s not over

Ofer Berkovitch vows not to give up, says his legal team will be checking into ‘irregularities’ at polling stations; 8,500 outstanding votes will only be tallied Wednesday

By Marissa Newman

Supporters of Jerusalem mayoral candidate Moshe Lion react as the preliminary results of the mayoral race are announced on November 13, 2018. (Yonatan Sindel/FLASH90)

November 14, 2018, 1:35 am

Interior minister says Lion is Jerusalem mayor, though soldiers’ votes uncounted

Ultra-Orthodox favorite declares victory after securing 6,000-vote lead over Ofer Berkovitch; 8,500 outstanding votes will only be tallied Wednesday

By Marissa Newman

Jerusalem mayoral candidates Ofer Berkovich (L) and Moshe Lion during an October 21, 2018 debate ahead of the Jerusalem Municipality elections on October 30, 2018. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

November 13, 2018, 11:57 pm

Jerusalem’s Lion gains lead over Berkovitch after 90% of mayoral vote tallied

After leading for most of the night, secular candidate Berkovitch now trails ultra-Orthodox-backed Lion by several thousand votes

By Marissa Newman

Jerusalem Mayoral candidate Moshe Leon and his wife cast their ballots at a voting station for the Jerusalem municipal elections on November 13, 2018. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

November 13, 2018, 10:27 pm

Polls close in tense Jerusalem mayoral race; under 1/3 of voters show up

With over 30% of votes counted, secular Berkovitch takes lead over ultra-Orthodox-backed Lion, but race still too close to call

By Marissa Newman

Local elections campaign posters can be seen as smoke rises behind from a building that was set ablaze by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip, in the southern Israeli city of Sderot on November 12, 2018. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

November 13, 2018, 1:15 pm

Jerusalem, other towns return to mayoral polls, as Gaza attacks stymie 1 runoff

Candidates who failed to reach 40% in first round face tense runoffs; race in capital too close to call as voters chose between ultra-Orthodox-backed Lion and secular Berkovitch

By Raoul Wootliff

An ultra-Orthodox man stands outside the Haredi campaign headquarters for the Jerusalem mayoral candidate Ofer Berkovitch in Jerusalem, on November 8, 2018, ahead of the second round municipal elections that will take place on November 13. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

November 12, 2018, 8:06 pm

Jerusalem Hasidic leaders refrain from endorsing mayor, in boost to Berkovitch

Agudath Yisrael decision, as race tightens, places secular candidate neck-and-neck with front-runner Moshe Lion

By Marissa Newman

Supporters celebrate as Jerusalem mayoral candidate Moshe Lion arrives at his campaign headquarters , on October 30, 2018. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

October 31, 2018, 1:00 pm

In Lion-Berkovitch runoff, rogue Hasidic voters could hold key to the capital

Backed by most ultra-Orthodox, Moshe Lion remains front-runner for Jerusalem mayor on November 13 unless some rabbis decide to seek to spite their rivals in a long-shot maneuver

By Marissa Newman

A man arrives to casts his ballot at a voting station on the morning of the municipal elections, on October 30, 2018. (Hillel Maeir/Flash90)

October 30, 2018, 2:44 pm

Civic responsibility and heavenly decree: Keen voters see duty in local ballot

Residents of three Israeli towns vote early, hoping to defy predictions that country’s first municipal election with national day off will lower national turnout

By Raoul Wootliff