Rabbi Elyakim Levanon has issued a call to Bayit Yehudi MKs to support the appointment of Rabbi Yaakov Ariel as Chief Rabbi, and not to opt for the more liberal Rabbi David Stav.
The appointment of Rabbi Ariel would involve amending the Chief Rabbinate Law, which currently limits the age of candidates for the post. On the other hand, appointing Rabbi Stav would become politically possible if the law is changed so that several dozen women are added to the body that selects the chief rabbi.
"One of the kings of Judea and Israel who listened to the advice of children, caused the split between the Kingdom of Judea and the Kingdom of Israel," Rabbi Levanon wrote in his letter to the MKs. "If he had listened to the elders, perhaps this could have been prevented."
"Today, too, the 'advice of the elders' who convened and decided to support changing the Chief Rabbinate Law, to allow Rabbi Yaakov Ariel Shlita to present his candidacy, is the only one that can prevent a split in the camp."
"For this reason," he wrote, "I turn to you with a request, to act forcefully to change the age of the candidates for the chief rabbi's position, and in addition, to object to enlarging the selecting body."