In Karnei Shomron, Herzl Ben-Ari - the town's Religious Council head - defeated Likud-supported Asi Levy in yesterday's election, and will be the new mayor. The incumbent Hudi Lieberman, who was mayor for two terms, decided not to run for re-election - though both challengers said they would have withdrawn had he decided otherwise. "I didn't want my public service to turn into a form of careerism," explained Lieberman, brother of Yesha Council head Bentzy Lieberman.
Mayor-elect Ben-Ari told Arutz-7 today that some 6,500 people live in Karnei Shomron, about half of whom are religiously observant. "People from all over the town, from all four quarters, gave full confidence - almost two-thirds of the vote," he said. He noted that 42 new housing units were approved for construction three months ago.
Karnei Shomron comprises four main neighborhoods, reports Hagit Rotenberg in B'Sheva:
"What is known as Old Karnei Shomron, which is the original religious, idealistic and cohesive core-group; Ginot Shomron, where many secular Jews live, not necessarily for idealistic reasons, joined by religious Jews in the 'Build Your Own Home' neighborhood; N'vei Menachem [named for Menachem Begin - ed.], a heterogeneous neighborhood; and N'vei Aliza [named for Begin's wife - ed.], a neighborhood in Ginot Shomron populated by a religious group that immigrated together from the U.S. This is the neighborhood that produced Zo Artzeinu and Manhigut Yehudit. Karnei Shomron also includes two hilltop outposts: Alonei Shilo, with some 20 families, and the famous Ramat Gilad."
Mayor-elect Ben-Ari told Arutz-7 today that some 6,500 people live in Karnei Shomron, about half of whom are religiously observant. "People from all over the town, from all four quarters, gave full confidence - almost two-thirds of the vote," he said. He noted that 42 new housing units were approved for construction three months ago.
Karnei Shomron comprises four main neighborhoods, reports Hagit Rotenberg in B'Sheva:
"What is known as Old Karnei Shomron, which is the original religious, idealistic and cohesive core-group; Ginot Shomron, where many secular Jews live, not necessarily for idealistic reasons, joined by religious Jews in the 'Build Your Own Home' neighborhood; N'vei Menachem [named for Menachem Begin - ed.], a heterogeneous neighborhood; and N'vei Aliza [named for Begin's wife - ed.], a neighborhood in Ginot Shomron populated by a religious group that immigrated together from the U.S. This is the neighborhood that produced Zo Artzeinu and Manhigut Yehudit. Karnei Shomron also includes two hilltop outposts: Alonei Shilo, with some 20 families, and the famous Ramat Gilad."