The 2024 Jerusalem mayoral election is expected to be held on January 30, 2024 to elect the mayor of Jerusalem. Originally scheduled for October 31, 2023, the elections were delayed due to the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.
Background
The election will be part of the 2024 Israeli municipal elections.
Mayor Moshe Lion and Deputy Mayor Yosi Havilio are the main candidates.
The issues of public transportation, the expansion of the Jerusalem Light Rail, real estate prices and development, highway repairs, and the rapidly spreading influence of Haredi Judaism in the city are widely expected to be key issues.
Mayor Moshe Lion's slight rise in popularity among East Jerusalem Arabs, compared to prior mayors, has been observed by analysts, with an April 2021 op-ed noting Arabs are expected to play a major role in the election, and another op-ed encouraging Arabs to become more politically active in the race for mayor and in elections for Jerusalem City Hall.
The Jerusalem Light Rail is expected to be a key issue, with the aftermath of a three-year-long debate over the Light Rail's Blue Line on Emek Refaim in Katamon, four new planned lines, as well as plans for a cable car into Jerusalem's Old City, dividing voters.
West Jerusalemites' debate over the acceptance or discomfort with the increasing numbers of high-rise towers, which opponents, including Kiryat HaYovel's Yuvalim 2041 activist group, is another issue facing voters. The debate centers around whether the high-rise towers threaten the city's traditional character or not.
In early November 2022, Opposition Leader Berkovitch announced his decision to step away from the City Council.
Candidates
Moshe Lion, Incumbent Mayor
Yosi Havilio, Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem, former Attorney General of Jerusalem. Walid Abu Tayeh, Lawyer