Ultra-orthodox Israelis gain clout

JERUSALEM - In an electoral victory that will intensify the fight over this disputed city's character and future, religious and ultra-Orthodox parties won nearly half the seats in Jerusalem's city council, election results showed yesterday.

The growing influence of the ultra-Orthodox and the efforts by secular Jews to oppose that influence represent the greatest single social conflict in Israel today. Antagonism between the religious, who make up about a third of Jerusalem's population, and the secular has flared on numerous fronts, from whether to close major streets on the Jewish Sabbath to whether city money should be spent on semi-private religious schools.

But the majority of secular Jerusalem residents apparently stayed home for the elections: Turnout among the religious in Jerusalem was estimated at 80 percent, compared to around 40 percent for the secular.

Ehud Olmert, a secular candidate of the ruling right-wing Likud Party, who has nonetheless catered to Orthodox demands, was re-elected mayor of Jerusalem in a landslide.

Two ultra-Orthodox parties - Shas, which represents Sephardic Jews, of Middle Eastern or North African origin, and the United Torah Judaism, which represents Ashkenazi, or European, Jews took 12 seats on the 31-member council. The National Religious Party, with a similar agenda, took an additional three seats, for a 15-member bloc. Previously, the religious parties had held 13 places.

The ultra-Orthodox demand strict observance of Sabbath and have scuffled violently with Jews who would violate the day of rest by driving or going to restaurants. They maintain that they are fighting to preserve Jewish values and live pious lives.

Extremely tight-knit and well-organized, the religious parties are easily able to get out the vote. During the campaign, Shas activists distributed holy oil, amulets and candles to make the point that voting was part of a sacred duty that would be rewarded. Yitzhak Kadouri, a revered Shas rabbi, offered a special blessing.

Yesterday, haredim leaders said they would use their council power to push for more schools, religious day care centers and ritual baths.

The secular, many of whom are on Israel's political left, complain that the haredim want to ram religion down their throats and impose their vision of Jewish identity on others.

"I am really depressed," said Anat Hoffman, a psychologist, women's rights activist and member of the city council who won reelection in Tuesday's race. She said she fears that the ultra-Orthodox parties will divert sizable chunks of Jerusalem's $500 million budget to their pet projects, making secular people feel unwelcome and uncomfortable in the city that Jews consider their capital.

"By serving such narrow, sectorial interests, they hurt democracy," she said.

Other secular Israeli voters noted they only have themselves to blame for allowing apathy and hopelessness to keep them away from the polls.

"Part of this public likes to moan and complain, but when they are called to act, they stay home," said Yossi Sarid, from the leftist Labor Party.

Overall, voter turnout nationally was only about 50 percent. In Jerusalem, most Palestinians boycotted the election to emphasize their claim on the holy city.

11-12-98