The mayoral races in two of Israel's largest cities have been set for June 3, and "uncertainty" is the name of the game in both. Jerusalem will continue to be ruled by a Likud man, given the fact that Labor is not even planning to field a candidate, but the question is who. Newly elected MK Roni Bar-On has just thrown his hat into the ring, running against Deputy Mayor Yigal Amedi, who has the support of former Mayor Ehud Olmert. Both candidates have support from various politicians and sectors, but it appears that everything is up in the air until former Justice Minister Dan Meridor makes up his mind. If he decides to run, he is practically assured of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's support, which will all but guarantee him the nomination.
Bar-On, the Chairman of the Knesset House Committee, told Arutz-7 today, "I enjoy what I'm doing, and I even think I'm doing a good job. [But] I'm not the one who chose the timing of the election... It's a hard decision, but most of my friends are encouraging me and saying that Jerusalem is even more important than [what I'm doing the Knesset]... There will be primaries in the Likud; I will run and I hope I will win. I believe that I am the only one who can unite all the sectors in the city, and I have better connections with the government than the others..." He acknowledged that the hareidi sector is upset at the Likud for having been left out of the government coalition: "I will say this: I have long had professional and public ties with the hareidi sector, which is not only a totally legitimate sector, but is actually the largest one in the city - and many of them have been here much longer than us; it's clear that no one can be elected Mayor in Jerusalem in the face of hareidi and religious objections. I understand their anger, but I feel that they will leave Jerusalem out of this game, as they have many interests here... and I think and hope that they will support my candidacy." Asked what his plans for the city include, he said that he would give a complete program at a later date, but he noted specifically the gaps between "Jews and Arabs, religious and secular, rich and poor" that must be addressed.
In Haifa, where the Labor Party has long ruled, uncertainty spiced with indecisiveness is the order of the day. Former MK Yonah Yahav appeared to have had the support of former Labor Party leader Amram Mitzna, who was Mayor of Haifa himself until recently, but it now appears that Mitzna may support former Israeli Ambassador to Russia Aliza Shenhar. A third name in the running is that of Yisrael Savyon. Local activists support Yahav, and threaten the dissolution of Haifa's Labor branch if someone else is supported.
A third city, Or Akiva, adjacent to the coastal city of Caesarea, will also hold elections in June, due to the election of Mayor Yaakov Edri to the Knesset two months ago.
Bar-On, the Chairman of the Knesset House Committee, told Arutz-7 today, "I enjoy what I'm doing, and I even think I'm doing a good job. [But] I'm not the one who chose the timing of the election... It's a hard decision, but most of my friends are encouraging me and saying that Jerusalem is even more important than [what I'm doing the Knesset]... There will be primaries in the Likud; I will run and I hope I will win. I believe that I am the only one who can unite all the sectors in the city, and I have better connections with the government than the others..." He acknowledged that the hareidi sector is upset at the Likud for having been left out of the government coalition: "I will say this: I have long had professional and public ties with the hareidi sector, which is not only a totally legitimate sector, but is actually the largest one in the city - and many of them have been here much longer than us; it's clear that no one can be elected Mayor in Jerusalem in the face of hareidi and religious objections. I understand their anger, but I feel that they will leave Jerusalem out of this game, as they have many interests here... and I think and hope that they will support my candidacy." Asked what his plans for the city include, he said that he would give a complete program at a later date, but he noted specifically the gaps between "Jews and Arabs, religious and secular, rich and poor" that must be addressed.
In Haifa, where the Labor Party has long ruled, uncertainty spiced with indecisiveness is the order of the day. Former MK Yonah Yahav appeared to have had the support of former Labor Party leader Amram Mitzna, who was Mayor of Haifa himself until recently, but it now appears that Mitzna may support former Israeli Ambassador to Russia Aliza Shenhar. A third name in the running is that of Yisrael Savyon. Local activists support Yahav, and threaten the dissolution of Haifa's Labor branch if someone else is supported.
A third city, Or Akiva, adjacent to the coastal city of Caesarea, will also hold elections in June, due to the election of Mayor Yaakov Edri to the Knesset two months ago.