Jerusalem's New Mayor

Change is in the air this election season. Nir Barkat, the secular software mogul turned politico, won the mayoral election in Jerusalem despite a tight race with the ultra-orthodox candidate Meir Porush. This might have been a similar formula to the Obama victory in the US. Under the rule of the former mayor of Jerusalem, ultra-orthodox Uri Lupolianski, Jerusalem became the poorest city in Israel according to various economic indicators. His endorsement of Porush as his successor may have doomed his campaign rather than bolster it. For additional analysis and explanation of the election, check out this video I produced for TIME:


JERUSALEM'S NEW MAYOR