Tuesday evening came the announcement that Aliza Bloch has officially dropped out of the race for Mayor of the city of Bet Shemesh. After consequently losing the support of the Zionist parties to fellow candidate, Eli Cohen, Bloch stated that she has no intention of running alongside Cohen to be appointed Deputy Mayor.
Bloch, former Bayit Yehudi (Jewish Home) party’s top choice, lost the support of the four major Zionist parties (Bayit Yehudi, Yesh Atid, the Likud and Labor parties) which decided to endorse Eli Cohen during this significant election.
These elections “are Beit Shemesh’s last chance,” according to Minister Naftali Bennett, head of the Bayit Yehudi party.
Cohen thanked Bennet for his endorsement saying, “I really appreciate it. You’ve put Beit Shemesh first,” he said. Cohen said had hoped that Bloch would join him in the race.
The city of Beit Shemesh, just 40 minutes from Jerusalem, is facing major decisions regarding its future. Many of its residents wish to put an end to the extremist hareidi violence that has plagued some parts of the city.