The results are in and secular businessman Nir Barkat will take over as Mayor of Jerusalem after Uri Lupoliansky. 

The result was officially declared Wednesday morning when votes had been counted at all 707 polling stations, with Barkat garnering just over 52 percent of the vote, MK Meir Porush of the United Torah Judaism Party just over 43%, Israeli-Russian billionaire Arkadi Gaydamak 3.5% and Dan Birron of the Green Leaf Party wining 0.5%.
-The Jerusalem Post

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…

Barack Obama isn’t the only native Chicagoan headed to the White House. The President-elect recently appointed his pick for Chief of Staff, Democratic Congressman Rahm Emanuel.  Emanuel, whose father was born in Jerusalem and fought with the Irgun in pre-State Israel, still has strong connections to the Jewish State.  Below is a video from Fox News which highlights his experiences and ties to Israel.

(Just a note- this broadcast is from before Congressman Emanuel officially accepted the position.)

The presidential candidates’ picks for second in command, Senator Joe Biden (D) and Governor Sarah Palin (R), came together last night for their only debate of the campaign.  Here’s what they had to say on Israel…

And now, for the follow-up… Governor Palin mentioned that the US Embassy, which is currently situated in Tel Aviv, should be moved to Jerusalem. What do you think?