Skip to main content

Jerusalem Mayor: City Must Remain Outside Peace Negotiations

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat's re-election campaign has heightened tensions between former Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman, supporting Barkat's opponent, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is yet to endorse a candidate.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat arrive to a special cabinet meeting marking Jerusalem Day at Ammunition Hill in Jerusalem May 20, 2012. Jerusalem Day marks the anniversary of Israel's capture of the Eastern part of the city during the 1967 Middle East War. REUTERS/Abir Sultan/Pool (JERUSALEM - Tags: POLITICS ANNIVERSARY) - RTR32C9K
Read in 

“I know that the prime minister is under pressure from many different directions, including from Avigdor Liberman and others,” said Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat when I ask whether he was disappointed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not publicly endorsed him for mayor as the city heads toward municipal elections on Oct.  22.

Barkat, formerly a member of the Kadima Party, supported Netanyahu in the last election, and the two share a positive relationship based on mutual respect. In the last few weeks, however, the Jerusalem mayoral campaign took a surprising turn, with Knesset member Avigdor Liberman, a former foreign minister and second in line in Likud-Yisrael Beiteinu, deciding to back his associate Moshe Leon for the office.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.