Both the Likud and Labor claim to have done well in yesterday's municipal election campaign in 156 Israeli cities and localities, but one thing is clear: the public - or at least the 41% who voted - likes the incumbents.
Among the cities whose incumbent mayors won re-election are Tel Aviv (Ron Huldai, Labor), Netanya (Miriam Feierberg, Likud), Be'er Sheva (Yaakov Turner, Labor), Beit Shemesh (Danny Vaknin, Likud), Ramle (Yoel Lavi, Likud, who received over 85% of the vote), Nazareth Illit (Menachem Ariav of Labor will serve for a sixth term), Rehovot, Rishon LeTzion, Raanana, Ramat Gan, Herzliya, Katzrin, and others. A second round will be held two weeks from now in 39 cities in which no candidate received at least 40% of the vote.
In Dimona, high school principal Meir Cohen defeated the incumbent Gabi Lalush of the Likud, while in Beit She'an, Jackie Levy - son of former Foreign Minister David Levy - finally defeated his long-time nemesis, the incumbent Pinny Kabalo of Labor. Lior Katzav, the President's brother and formerly of the Likud, will not serve another term as Mayor of Kiryat Malachi, as he was handily defeated by the Likud's Moti Malka.
Former GSS head Carmi Gillon defeated the incumbent mayor of Mevaseret Zion, Danny Azriel. In the Israeli-Arab city of Nazareth, Christian-Arab incumbent Ramez Jerasi narrowly defeated the Islamic Movement candidate.
A second round will be held in the northern city of Kiryat Shmonah between the incumbent Chaim Barbivai of the Likud and Nissim Malka of the National Religious Party. Second rounds will also be held in Eilat, Ashkelon, Sderot, Tzfat, Elkanah, Kfar Saba, Givat Ze'ev, Modiin, and elsewhere.
Likud Party Director-General Arik Brami said, "Our situation has remained strong, we still control over 80 cities, which is approximately 50% of the localities in Israel... The Likud is still in control of the national government, and will remain so for the coming years." Likud MK Gilad Erdan agreed, and noted that Labor "fielded only about eight mayoral candidates." In fact, the Likud competed in 117 localities, while the Labor party ran mayoral candidates in fewer than 50.
Labor's campaign manager MK Eitan Cabel noted that the Likud is now in control in only two of the 11 largest cities, Netanya and Ashdod, "and the Likud is starting to give excuses. We have made a revolution in not a few places, and the Likud lost in very many places. We started off limping, but thank G-d we are now on the high road..."
Among the cities whose incumbent mayors won re-election are Tel Aviv (Ron Huldai, Labor), Netanya (Miriam Feierberg, Likud), Be'er Sheva (Yaakov Turner, Labor), Beit Shemesh (Danny Vaknin, Likud), Ramle (Yoel Lavi, Likud, who received over 85% of the vote), Nazareth Illit (Menachem Ariav of Labor will serve for a sixth term), Rehovot, Rishon LeTzion, Raanana, Ramat Gan, Herzliya, Katzrin, and others. A second round will be held two weeks from now in 39 cities in which no candidate received at least 40% of the vote.
In Dimona, high school principal Meir Cohen defeated the incumbent Gabi Lalush of the Likud, while in Beit She'an, Jackie Levy - son of former Foreign Minister David Levy - finally defeated his long-time nemesis, the incumbent Pinny Kabalo of Labor. Lior Katzav, the President's brother and formerly of the Likud, will not serve another term as Mayor of Kiryat Malachi, as he was handily defeated by the Likud's Moti Malka.
Former GSS head Carmi Gillon defeated the incumbent mayor of Mevaseret Zion, Danny Azriel. In the Israeli-Arab city of Nazareth, Christian-Arab incumbent Ramez Jerasi narrowly defeated the Islamic Movement candidate.
A second round will be held in the northern city of Kiryat Shmonah between the incumbent Chaim Barbivai of the Likud and Nissim Malka of the National Religious Party. Second rounds will also be held in Eilat, Ashkelon, Sderot, Tzfat, Elkanah, Kfar Saba, Givat Ze'ev, Modiin, and elsewhere.
Likud Party Director-General Arik Brami said, "Our situation has remained strong, we still control over 80 cities, which is approximately 50% of the localities in Israel... The Likud is still in control of the national government, and will remain so for the coming years." Likud MK Gilad Erdan agreed, and noted that Labor "fielded only about eight mayoral candidates." In fact, the Likud competed in 117 localities, while the Labor party ran mayoral candidates in fewer than 50.
Labor's campaign manager MK Eitan Cabel noted that the Likud is now in control in only two of the 11 largest cities, Netanya and Ashdod, "and the Likud is starting to give excuses. We have made a revolution in not a few places, and the Likud lost in very many places. We started off limping, but thank G-d we are now on the high road..."