Israel's Capital 'Cannot Be Divided': Legacy of Jerusalem's Outgoing Heroic Mayor

JERUSALEM, Israel – Millions of Israelis across the country voted this week. One of the most talked about races was in Jerusalem, where two-term Mayor Nir Barkat stepped aside to join national politics. CBN Middle East Correspondent Julie Stahl takes a look at the popular outgoing mayor and what's ahead for the city of the Great King.

Aerial View of Jerusalem, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff

During his 10 years at Jerusalem's helm, Nir Barkat sought to turn Israel's poorest city into one rich in culture, tourism and with a sustainable economy.

"The city has a role to play. It's the center of the world for all of the religious people, the monotheistic religions – that we have to maintain it like that," Barkat told CBN's Scott Ross.

Some 900,000 people live in Jerusalem. Sixty-four percent area Jewish and others, while 34 percent are Muslim and two percent Christian.  

Mayor Nir Barkat overlooks his beloved city, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff

Barkat was adamant that the city not be divided.

"It cannot be divided; it will never function as a divided city. It has to be one physical city enabling all to worship their faith, their way, to respect each other. There's room for all," Barkat said. "I'm also a high-tech entrepreneur, a venture capitalist. It will never work. There's not one good example of a city that was split that ever functioned."  

View of the Old City Walls and the Temple Mount, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff
 
Barkat took office in 2008, shortly before former US President Barack Obama entered the White House. Obama's administration pressured Israel to stop building in eastern Jerusalem, an issue Barkat said the West just doesn't understand.

Praying at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff

"God forbid if I would have listened to the international community and stopped building in the city of Jerusalem, meaning stopped building all the schools I just demonstrated – 171 classrooms – or the road infrastructure. Or does anybody tell me as mayor of Jerusalem that if somebody wants to build a piece of land I tell him, 'wait a minute, if you're Jewish you're not allowed; if you're Christian you're not allowed. Only if you're Muslim you're allowed,'" he said.

Barkat also aimed to improve the gaps in quality of life between various sectors of society, including launching a program to add 1,000 classrooms to the city --  building schools in both the Arab and Jewish sectors.

Israeli Arab Muslims in Jerusalem, Photo, CBN News

In the end, Barkat was able to welcome the new US Embassy to Jerusalem after President Trump recognized the city as Israel's capital.

One of Barkat's philosophies was to introduce his city to the world vis-à-vis nonspiritual events. One of many examples in the Jerusalem Marathon, which began in 2010 and has become an annual tradition in the capital.

Mayor Nir Barkat takes part in the Jerusalem Marathon, Photo, CBN News, Jonathan Goff

In 2015, Barkat risked his own life when he helped subdue a terrorist who had stabbed an Orthodox Jew. As seen on security cameras, the mayor (in the white shirt) and his security guard jumped out of the car without hesitation and tackled the terrorist.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CBN News at the time Barkat displayed true bravery.

"I think the mayor showed exemplary courage," Netanyahu said.  

Though Israel has not heard the last of Barkat, it's clear that with his exit, a new era is beginning in Jerusalem.