Porush: Don’t judge me by the length of my beard
Ultra-Orthodox candidate in Jerusalem mayoral race holds cyber press conference in bid to court secular public: ‘I know there are a lot of people who have difficulty in accepting me…I ask that you judge me by my experience and abilities’
Mayoral candidate MK Meir Porush (United Torah Judaism) reached out to Jerusalem's secular residents on Tuesday as the city's municipal elections kicks off.
Hoping to connect with secular voters who may be prejudiced against his religious attire, Porush held a cyber press conference. “I know that there are a lot of people who have a hard time accepting me," Porush said.
"However, I ask that you refrain from judging me according to the length of my beard but rather according to my experience and the operational ability I bring with me.”
Porush also commented on the unique way the press conference was conducted. “This is the first time that a political campaign was launched in this manner.
“Jerusalem is also in need of renewal, which I will bring with me to the position,” he said.
Regarding former Shas chairman Aryeh Deri’s declaration on his intention to run for the mayoral race, Porush said, “Deri knows that I have been running for months and that I am running as part of an agreement.”
However, Porush added that it is too early in the game to discuss Deri’s candidacy.
“According to what I understood from a few different legal analysts, he won’t be permitted to run, and therefore dealing with this issue is solely theoretical.”
'I am willing to join forces with anyone'
Porush also discussed Arcady Gaydamak and said, “I am willing to join forces with anyone in order to reach my goal of being mayor. I will attain my goal and anyone who wants to help will be praised.”Porush did not refrain from remarking on Nir Barkat who according to recent surveys is leading the race.
“Those who are unable of presenting a record of experience, performance and execution try to emphasize and divide between haredis and seculars and make the religious public choose one side or another,” said Porush on Barkat.
“I say, believe in togetherness and not one side against the other.”
The ultra-Orthodox candidate repelled any option of conducting political negotiations on Jerusalem’s future. “I am completely committed to the completeness and unification of the city. I will prevent any political negotiations that contest the completeness of the city.”
When Porush was asked if he apologizes for calling former Deputy Chief Justice Mishael Cheshin a pig, he answered, “I expressed my rage that day on Cheshin’s attempts to allow pig to be sold. I think that today, he also regrets it.”
