Israeli secular politician Nir Barkat defeats ultra-orthodox rabbi to become the new mayor of Jerusalem
Story Transcript
TEXT ON SCREEN: Television stations across Israel reported on the election of Nir Barkat as mayor of Jerusalem.
NIR BARKAT, MAYOR-ELECT, JERUSALEM (SUBTITLED TRANSLATION): Tonight must be a night of unity. The campaign is over. From tomorrow morning—actually this morning, I will be mayor for all of Jerusalem’s residents.
TEXT ON SCREEN: Nir Barkat defeated a strictly religious ultra-Orthodox rabbi, Meir Porush. The win by a secular, right-wing businessman marks a significant shift away from ultra-Orthodox rule.
JERUSALEM RESIDENT: Well, I voted for Barkat, and he won. So I’m very happy today; I’m most happy that the secular have won. It’s going to change Jerusalem.
JERUSALEM RESIDENT: Oh, it’s a revolution, I think. It’s a very great day for us.
JERUSALEM RESIDENT: He definitely comes with a lot of energy to change things in this city. If he’ll get at all the cooperation from everybody, he might succeed, but it’s going to be very, very hard. I doubt it, but as someone who voted for him, I really give him all the best and good luck, and hope he’ll really change everything for the best.
TEXT ON SCREEN: The status of Jerusalem is one of the most hotly contested issues in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
DISCLAIMER:
Please note that TRNN transcripts are typed from a recording of the program; The Real News Network cannot guarantee their complete accuracy.
Story Transcript
TEXT ON SCREEN: Television stations across Israel reported on the election of Nir Barkat as mayor of Jerusalem.
NIR BARKAT, MAYOR-ELECT, JERUSALEM (SUBTITLED TRANSLATION): Tonight must be a night of unity. The campaign is over. From tomorrow morning—actually this morning, I will be mayor for all of Jerusalem’s residents.
TEXT ON SCREEN: Nir Barkat defeated a strictly religious ultra-Orthodox rabbi, Meir Porush. The win by a secular, right-wing businessman marks a significant shift away from ultra-Orthodox rule.
JERUSALEM RESIDENT: Well, I voted for Barkat, and he won. So I’m very happy today; I’m most happy that the secular have won. It’s going to change Jerusalem.
JERUSALEM RESIDENT: Oh, it’s a revolution, I think. It’s a very great day for us.
JERUSALEM RESIDENT: He definitely comes with a lot of energy to change things in this city. If he’ll get at all the cooperation from everybody, he might succeed, but it’s going to be very, very hard. I doubt it, but as someone who voted for him, I really give him all the best and good luck, and hope he’ll really change everything for the best.
TEXT ON SCREEN: The status of Jerusalem is one of the most hotly contested issues in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
DISCLAIMER:
Please note that TRNN transcripts are typed from a recording of the program; The Real News Network cannot guarantee their complete accuracy.