Ramiz Jaraisi has been the mayor of Nazareth, Israel for
almost 20 years. Since 1975, the Nazareth Democratic Front has been running the
city. “This is one of the most
well-known cities in the world, the place where Christianity started,”said Mr. Jaraisi.
But citizens in Nazareth say it is time for change. Mr.
Jaraisi has been elected mayor four times, with the votes of both Muslims and
Christians. Now, he is facing a serious challenge. Ali Salam, Mr. Jaraisi’s former deputy, is one of
four candidates running against him. Another strong contender is Haneen Zoabi,
a Muslim woman and a firebrand member of the Israeli Parliament representing
Balad. Mr. Jaraisi is hoping to draw at least 40 percent of the vote and win in
the first round. If not, Mr. Abu Nassar said, he might face an alliance of
opponents in a runoff.
Municipal elections are mostly affairs in Israel, but this
time, a few of the races are gaining national attention. In Jerusalem, Nir
Barkat, a rightist who has increased cultural activities and attracted numerous
international events to West Jerusalem in the past few years, is being
challenged by Moshe Lion, a former civil servant
Residents of Nazareth complain a lot about the
infrastructure. More than 1,000 residents move out each year, even though the
Jewish mayor insists on retaining its Jewish character to the point where he
has refused to consider opening an Arabic-language school.
Both Mr. Jaraisi and Ms. Zoabi say many of the city’s problems are the result of
decades of state discrimination against the Arab citizens, who make up about 20
percent of Israel’s population
of eight million.
Mr. Jaraisi is promising to build new neighborhoods and said
construction on a cultural center with an auditorium, will begin in 2014. Ms.
Zoabi’s campaign brochure complains
that Mr. Jaraisi and the Democratic Front have been promising to build the
cultural center for the past 10 years.
Reference:
By Lynn
ReplyDeleteBeing a mayor for 4 times is amazing. But it seems Mr. Jaraisi didn't do a good job on development of the city of Nazareth. I wonder who will be the next mayor and influence Nazareth.