Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion Reflects on Personal Loss and City's Future Amidst War

Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion has spoken candidly about his grief following the recent passing of his father, just three weeks prior, and his experiences since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war on October 7th. In a special interview, Lion shared the profound sense of loss and the void left by his father, who was a constant presence in his life, especially on Shabbat.

Lion recounted the morning of October 7th, when he informed his father about the war, an event that prompted the immediate activation of the city's emergency room and the preparation of shelters. He emphasized the immense responsibility of leading a city of one million residents, including those in East Jerusalem, stressing the importance of maintaining coexistence and employment for all communities.

Looking towards the future, Lion articulated his vision for Jerusalem, aiming to transform it into Israel's economic powerhouse. He highlighted education as a crucial tool for the city's future, noting a significant shift in East Jerusalem schools from Palestinian Authority curricula, which he described as containing incitement, towards the Israeli system.

Lion also reflected on his past political journey, suggesting that his 2013 electoral defeat was beneficial, providing him with five years to deeply understand Jerusalem before assuming the mayoral role. He detailed his plans for the city's development, including housing construction, job creation, and public transportation expansion, alongside efforts to enhance the city's cleanliness and upkeep.

He expressed his admiration for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who attended the shiva (mourning period) for his father. Lion concluded by describing the spiritual atmosphere in Jerusalem during the High Holidays and reiterated his hope for Jerusalem's continued growth and prosperity, and the rebuilding of the Third Temple.