Jerusalem Municipal Election – Update

In Jerusalem, Israel, nothing is simple.

Jerusalem municipal elections are set for next week.

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Campaign signs are plastered everywhere.

Jerusalem elections image, Mosh Lion

Moshe Lion is running for mayor

poster for Nir Barkat, Jerusalem mayor, Israeli flag

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.

sign political elections

If you look up there are signs.

Election banner Jerusalem picture

It seems that everywhere there are signs.

Jerusalem election sign

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

Jerusalem election image

 campaign workers holding large banners at Paris Square,

Simple so far?

Now, this is where things get confusing.

Jerusalem elections image

National political parties are also involved.

At one pre-election event at the OU Center

image Naftali Bennett Jerusalem

Bayit Yehudi Head Naftali Bennett

Jerusalem elections Bayit hayehudi Aylet Shaked

and MK Ayelet Shaked showed up in person.

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

Image Jerusalem elections

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.

Naomi Tsur image,

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?

photo poster marked, Jerusalem elections poster

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.

Jerusalem elections image, Israel elections

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.

Israel municipal elections image

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.

Jerusalem, Past and Future

The spring holiday season has just ended with

Shavuot and Pentecost falling on the same Sunday.

Hundreds of thousands of people came from around the world

to celebrate peacefully in Jerusalem.

"picture Wailing Wall","photo Jerusalem", "image birds"

Something was making the birds crazy,

but otherwise it was a quiet, beautiful day,

  so there was hardly a mention in the mainstream media.

What image comes to mind when you hear the word Jerusalem?

"picture Jerusalem", "image Jerusalem, "photo J Street"

Perhaps it is the ancient walls of the Old City?

"picture Jerusalem","image flags", "photo Israeli flag"

But Jerusalem is a place of contrast and diversity, and is constantly changing.

"picture Safra Square", "image flags" , "photo J Street"

Just before the holiday weekend, I went to Kikar Safra, Safra Square

"sign image","photo Jerusalem", "Jerusalem picture"

 to the City Council meeting room for an exciting event.

The Jerusalem Business Network Forum Bio-Med  a group

formed to bring science industry to Jerusalem,

 launched the Burrill Israel Fund.

"picture Nir Barkat","photo Jerusalem mayor","image mayor Jerusalem"

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat welcomed Jeff Miller,

special advisor to Burrill & Co, who announced a $200,000,000

“super angel”  fund for Jerusalem Bio-Med development. 

The fund is backed by Steve Burrill, an US investor

who loves Jerusalem and invests in health care,

which he prefers to call “sickness and wellness.”

"picture Jerusalem deputy mayor", "photo Jerusalem", "image deputy mayor"

Deputy Mayors Naomi Tsur and Yitzchak Pindrus addressed the crowd

that included scientists, entrepreneurs, and lawyers.

Before entering politics, Mayor Barkat

was involved with development of the first internet firewalls

 and has worked to bring hi-tech and bio-tech industry to Jerusalem.

 Jerusalem is  known for science study and research.

  HUB (Hebrew University Biotech) has lab space for start-ups,

but until now Jerusalem 

has not been associated with the “Start Up Nation” image.

One fascinating innovation that was discussed was a device

enabling doctors to see under the skin before making surgical incisions.

"image Jerusalem", "photo city hall", "picture people talking"

People stayed for hours talking at the end of the meeting.  

The Mayor’s wish to see Jerusalem as a future center of  bio-tech

and to take “talent to the next step”

is  a step closer to becoming a reality.