News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) The large Hareidi religious city of Betar Illit, west of Efrat, will go to the polls Tuesday to choose between Shas and United Torah Judaism (UTJ) candidates as mayor. Incumbent Mayor Yitzchak Pindrus (United Torah Judaism (UTJ) is running against his deputy Meir Rubinstein, who is backed by Shas leaders. Approximately 12,000 people are eligible to vote, and the outcome is expected to be close.

The two candidates are in a bitter battle following their previous alliance that allowed them to oust the former mayor. They had made a deal stipulating that Pindrus would back Rubinstein after his term of office concluded, but each accuses the other of canceling the agreement.