After the official victory announcement, newly-elected Jerusalem Mayor, Moshe Leon, proceeded to the Kosel to thank hashem for his victory. Leon was escorted by Kosel Rabbi, HaRav Shmuel Rabinowitz.

Leon then visited the home of the Nasi of Shas, the head of the Moeztes Chachmei Hatorah, Hagaon HaRav Sholom Cohen. Rav Cohen made a massive Yom Tefilla the night before the election together with Hagon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, who travelled from Bnei Brak from the event. More than ten thousand people packed the Kosel Plaza.

Leon, who was backed by much of Israel’s top leadership, claimed victory over Ofer Berkovitch early Wednesday in a closely contested race. Lion enjoyed the support of Degel Hatorah and Shas factions and their representatives in government.

The 35-year-old Berkovitch is a secular activist who pushed a progressive agenda against Chareidim. Berkowitz had promised to rid the capital of “chareidi extortion” if he was successful in his bid to become the next mayor of Yerushalayim.

Shas party chairman, Minister Aryeh Deri, tweeted Mazel tov. Thirty years after the establishment of the Shas party, there is finally a Sephardi mayor of Yerushalayim, for a first time, bringing pride to the sector.

מזל טוב ירושלים.
30 שנה לאחר הקמת תנועת ש״ס, זכינו הלילה לראשונה לראש עיר מזרחי בעיר הבירה ירושלים.
גאווה לכל מזרחי!
מחזירים עטרה ליושנה!

— אריה מכלוף דרעי (@ariyederi) November 14, 2018

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)