As the upcoming local elections draw near, political candidates are unveiling their platforms and strategies to address prevailing issues. However, one candidate, Jerusalem’s Deputy Mayor Aryeh King, from the “Jewish Power” party on the “United” list, has taken a unique approach by focusing on combating liberalism in the capital city of Israel.
In a recent campaign poster distributed as part of King’s election bid for the city council, he outlined his plan to confront various liberal and secular elements in Jerusalem to preserve its “holiness.” Under the ironic campaign title “United for the Residents,” King has drawn significant attention and sparked heated discussions across social media platforms, prompting various organizations to respond.
King’s multifaceted campaign addresses a range of issues, from opposing LGBTQ visibility to countering perceived left-wing influences in cultural institutions. He also emphasizes efforts to maintain the sanctity of the Western Wall, resists urban influences, and proposes changes to official forms, such as replacing “mother” and “father” with “parent 1” and “parent 2.”
The announcement of King’s combative campaign has drawn considerable criticism from liberal and secular circles in Jerusalem. It particularly caught the attention of the Open House for Pride and Tolerance in Jerusalem, a symbolically important LGBTQ center. “Deputy Mayor King presents his agenda: a war on everyone— LGBTQ individuals, leftists, artists, Christians, and anyone who doesn’t conform to his views,” stated the Open House in response to the campaign.
The controversy surrounding King’s campaign extends beyond the LGBTQ community, with the citizens’ movement “Guardians of the Common House,” which advocates for democracy following judicial reforms, expressing concern as well. King’s approach has intensified the debate about the future direction of Jerusalem and the role of his campaign in shaping its identity.
The impending local elections, scheduled for October 31st, have stirred passions, prompting calls for residents to actively participate and influence the city’s future. Amid the discourse, questions arise about whether King’s campaign, rooted in a vehement stance against perceived liberal elements, resonates with the broader electorate, or whether it highlights a growing polarization in the city’s political landscape.