Jerusalem mayor hints at future Knesset bid

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat on Thursday appeared to confirm reports he is preparing a run for the Knesset, and said he was signing up potential voters as Likud members.

“I am a civil servant. Today I focus 150% of my time to Jerusalem. However, a position in the Likud will unequivocally help me to serve as mayor of Jerusalem,” Barkat told Army Radio.

“I said I would do between two and three terms as mayor of Jerusalem, and have not yet decided If I will seek a third term,” Barkat said. “But afterwards, I will definitely serve Israel in my country in any position that may arise,” he said.

Barkat declined to say if he intends to run for the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party.

The mayor lodged harsh criticism of Kulanu party leader Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon for budget cuts that he said inhibited economic growth in the capital.

“For them [Finance Ministry] to tell the municipality they cannot help us through this current budget crisis is a terrible blow. This is a disregard and disengagement from Jerusalem that is unacceptable.”

“How can it be that at this time — especially when enemies of Israel are challenging Jerusalem — that I must also fight with the treasury?” Barkat asked. “I need the help of the Finance Ministry and of the state,” he added.

The mayor’s criticisms came after months-long negotiations with the Finance Ministry on allocating additional funds for the capital broke down earlier this month.

After an emergency city council meeting on Wednesday, Barkat accused Kahlon of “torpedoing” the city’s budget and announced an aggressive and public campaign against the minister.

Treasury sources told Army Radio that Barkat’s public campaign against Kahlon stemmed from his political aspirations, and said he should use his own money, not public funds, for that purpose.

For months, Barkat has been seeking an increased budget for Jerusalem, arguing that in light of the recent wave of terrorism and violence, the capital’s residents and business owners need more support.

Last week, Barkat demanded the prime minister personally intervene in the situation. He said Netanyahu’s professed support for Jerusalem was not reflected in the budgets being made available. “Continuing to ignore Jerusalem’s needs is a victory for terrorism,” the mayor charged in the open letter.

Barkat’s national political aspirations have been an open secret for some months. According to an August Channel 10 report, Barkat has been working to form a nucleus of support beyond Jerusalem’s municipal boundaries, including in major Likud-leaning cities like Ashdod and Ashkelon.

The television station reported that he ultimately aimed to become prime minister, but would not directly challenge Netanyahu.

Barkat endorsed Netanyahu for prime minister in the last elections, held in March.

At the time, a statement from Barkat’s office said he was concentrating solely on Jerusalem, but did not rule out a future run.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.