Former director of the Prime Minister�s Bureau in Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu�s first term, Moshe Leon, is expected to officially announce his candidacy in the Jerusalem mayoral race in a media event on Monday, 15 Menachem Av 5773.

Incumbent Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat will have a difficult election against Leon, who appears to drawing chareidi support in addition to already being backed by the Yisrael Beitenu and Likud parties.

Leon, who is currently not a Jerusalem resident, will have to move to the capital from Givatayim. Campaign organizers feel that as a shomer Shabbat Jew he will draw votes from all camps, dati leumi, secular and hopefully the chareidi. Leon is a CPA by profession.

(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)