Mayoral elections in Israel’s capital of Jerusalem are soon coming to a close today as voters cast their ballots.  Who wants to run the ancient city?  Here are the three main contenders: 

Nir Barkat, a secular businessman and philanthropist, now serves as a councilmember of the Municipality of Jerusalem.  He first ran in 2003 against current mayor Uri Lupoliansky, getting 43% of the vote but ultimately losing the election.  His non-sectarian platform includes improved education in Jerusalem schools, heightening the city’s accessibility and attractiveness as a tourist destination, and maintaining Israeli control over all of Jerusalem- a stance which caused him to break previous ties with the Kadima party.

Rabbi Meir Porush is currently a member of Knesset representing the ultra-Orthodox party United Torah Judaism.  Porush has also served on the Jerusalem city council and was once deputy mayor.  He also runs on a platform of a united Jerusalem, expansion of Jewish settlements in the city, and continued support for the status quo on religious education.      

 Russian-Israeli billionaire tycoon Arkadi Gaydamak is also running under the banner of his party, Social Justice.  Gaydamak has increased his own visibility in the past few years by setting up goodwill projects throughout the country in face of dangerous situations like the Second War in Lebanon.  His platform consists of improving Jerusalem’s economy and reaching out to different populations within Jerusalem.  His stance on territorial issues is slightly more moderate than that of the Likud party.

The election has highlighted the internal divisions of Jerusalem, especially between religious and secular residents.  For the time being, Nir Barkat is ahead in the polls, but with about 11% of Jerusalemites undecided, the race is still up for grabs.

You can watch a video of the three candidates speaking to the residents of Jerusalem and addressing some of these issues here.

Now, what would you do…