A new poll conducted by the Smith Institute for the Olam Katan newspaper showed that over half of Israelis would like to see Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Chief Rabbi of Tzfat and the son of former Chief Rabbi Mordechai Eliyahu, become the next Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel.
The poll results show that 56% of respondents would like to see Rabbi Eliyahu appointed to the role. Among these are 55% of secular Israelis, and 74% of Dati Leumi Israelis. The poll also showed significant support for Rav Shmuel Eliyahu amongst Charedi respondents. The poll showed that if one of the Rabbanim from Shas left the race, even more people would support Rav Eliyahu’s candidacy.
However, Shas sources are saying that if Rabbi Eliyahu runs for the position, they will cancel their coalition agreement made with Dati Leumi parties regarding the choosing of the next Chief Rabbis. The agreement allowed Shas to chose the next Sephardic Chief Rabbi, and the next Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi would be a Rav from the Dati Leumi community.
{Matzav.com}