Author: rjstreets

In Jerusalem, Israel, nothing is simple.

Jerusalem municipal elections are set for next week.

Campaign signs are plastered everywhere.

Moshe Lion is running for mayor

against current Mayor Nir Barkat.

Not sure what it signifies, but these Barkat 2013  banners

were hanging next to large Israeli flags in more than one place.

The mayoral race is fairly simple with two main contenders.

But there is also a campaign for City Council,

and that is where things get confusing.

If you look up there are signs.

It seems that everywhere there are signs.

However, this one put up near the Prime Minister’s Residence

did not stay up for long.

Nir Barkat workers in campaign tee shirts have been out for weeks.

But now on the streets one can find

 campaign workers holding large banners at Paris Square,

Simple so far?

Now, this is where things get confusing.

National political parties are also involved.

At one pre-election event at the OU Center

Bayit Yehudi Head Naftali Bennett

and MK Ayelet Shaked showed up in person.

They came late, stayed for a few minutes and took no questions,

but showed support for their slate of Jerusalem candidates.

There have been constant parlor meetings and information nights.

I will not answer my home phone in the evening until after October 22, 

there have been so many evening campaign calls.

Calls from machines are easy to hang up on, 

but last night there was a personal campaign call on my cell phone.

I suppose these are the blessings of the democratic process.

Deputy Mayor Naomi Tsur, left, started Ometz Lev, a mainly female party.

Will she help small business owners in Jerusalem,

some of whom are still complaining of losses because of Formula One street closings?

Rachel Azzaria, another female who once served with the mayor, 

is also running again.

Someone drew a mustache on this larger than life photo poster,

and no, it was not in a religious neighborhood.

There are lots of photos of other small parties who have candidates,

but if you are not confused now,

then you surely would be and bored too, if I posted them all.

Trucks are out on Jerusalem, Israel, streets to encourage voting.

I think it is a safe bet to say, most residents of Jerusalem,

many intelligent, educated people,

have no idea who ALL the candidates are or care.

They just want their rubbish picked up on time and the streets clean,

and affordable housing would be nice too.

And Arab voters?

Summed up best as usual by Khaled Abu Toameh,

their leadership as usual loses no opportunity to lose an opportunity.

 Updated October 21:

On Shabbat I saw a full list of campaigns and those running posted,

the one and only such list I have seen anywhere.

I went back today to take a photo of the tiny print and found this.

If this party will be good for Jerusalem, I do not know,.

But even though this was a short election season by US standards,

everyone is sick of the campaigns here.

Police are ready.

But the public seems to know less everyday,

and also pollsters, as people will say anything to get them off the phone.

At least I answered a private number on my cell phone this am,

almost missed an important call.

 AFTER the Jerusalem, Israel municipal elections tomorrow,

then I hope to have something to say.

Just wish I knew who really were the best to vote for.