Against the background of Nir Barkat's decision not to run for a third term as mayor of Jerusalem, the local haredi-religious United Torah Judaism party, the largest faction in the city council, issued an official announcement indicating that it is considering running a candidate for mayor on its behalf. The statement said the party "views the issue of the mayoralty with great responsibility and a subject that requires broad and in-depth consideration. After Passover, the faction will hold an internal discussion and a thorough examination of the issue in the face of the challenges, and will examine the question of the candidate for mayor."
The final decision will be made by Torah sages "with the aim of acting in unity and responsibility for the benefit of the public and the residents of Jerusalem, the holy city." It is estimated that the haredim will run a candidate only if he wins a haredi consensus.