Supreme Court Upholds Rabbi Avraham Dery's Election as Beer Sheva Chief Rabbi

Israel's Supreme Court on Monday rejected a petition seeking to nullify the election of Rabbi Avraham Dery as the chief rabbi of Beer Sheva. Rabbi Dery, the nephew of Shas party leader Aryeh Deri, was elected to the position in a contested race.

The petition was filed by Rabbi Yoram Cohen, who ran against Rabbi Dery but did not secure enough votes from the electoral college. Rabbi Cohen alleged that the election process was marred by "material defects" that compromised its integrity. These claims were reportedly raised only shortly before and after the election day.

Previously, Supreme Court Justice Yechiel Kasher had ordered the Ministry of Religious Services to respond to the petition. The election itself was marked by significant tension, with the Shas party backing Rabbi Avraham Dery and the city's mayor supporting Rabbi Yoram Cohen. Ultimately, the electoral body chose Rabbi Dery for the role.