A Magar Mochot internet poll conducted in the beginning of June involving 502 respondents was published in the weekend edition of the weekly BaSheva newspaper.

Following are the results in the mayoral race with seven candidates competing.

32% Ofir Berkowitz (Hisorarus)
27% Ze’ev Elkin (Likud)
14% Yosef Deutsch (Chareidi)
14% Moshe Leon (Dati leumi)
5% Avi Salmon
4% Yossi Chavilov
4% Kobi Kahlon

In the above scenario, it does not appear the chareidi candidate going it alone can achieve a victory.

The second option:

34% Ze’ev Elkin
31% Ofir Berkowitz
20% Different responses/don’t know
15% Moshe Leon

With only the main players in the race, Minister of Jerusalem Affairs (Likud) Ze’ev Elkin emerges the top candidate, albeit Berkowitz trails by a few percentage points. In this scenario, it appears if the chareidim decide to back Elkin, a religious candidate, they can succeed. However, should there be a split among the chareidim as in the last elections, Jerusalem City Hall is most likely going to go to a non-religious mayor once again.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)