Mayor of Jerusalem Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Mayor of the City of Jerusalem
Seal of the City of Jerusalem
Incumbent Moshe Lion since 4 December 2018
Residence	1 Safra Square, Jerusalem
Term length	5 years
Formation	1867
Website	Office of the Mayor

The Mayor of the City of Jerusalem is like the main leader of the city. This person is in charge of how Jerusalem is run. The mayor's office handles all the city's services, like trash collection and public parks. They also make sure city and state laws are followed. A mayor serves for five years.

The mayor's main office is in Safra Square. From there, they manage all the different parts of the city. The mayor also chooses other important officials, such as deputy mayors and leaders for city departments.

History of Jerusalem's Mayors
Leaders of Jerusalem Through the Years
See also

History of Jerusalem's Mayors

The idea of a city council in Jerusalem started way back in 1863. This was when the Ottoman Empire ruled the area.

From 1948 to 1967, Jerusalem was divided. This meant there were two separate city governments. One was an Israeli city government for the western parts. The other was a Jordanian city government for the eastern parts.

By the 1840s, Jewish people made up the largest group in Jerusalem. By the 1880s, they were the majority of the city's population. However, the first Jewish mayor was not chosen until 1937. This happened during the time of the British Mandate. Since 1948, every mayor of Jerusalem has been Jewish.

Before 1975, city mayors were chosen by the city council. The council members themselves were elected using a special system. But things changed in 1975. A new law said that mayors would be chosen directly by the people. This new system is called a two round system. If no candidate gets at least 40% of the votes in the first election, the top two candidates have a second election. The first time this new system was used was in 1978.

Leaders of Jerusalem Through the Years

This section lists the people who have served as mayor or in similar leadership roles in Jerusalem. The city's leadership has changed as different groups ruled the area.

Ottoman Empire (1845–1920)

During the time of the Ottoman Empire, leaders were appointed to manage Jerusalem.

1845–1847 – Kıbrıslı Mehmed Emin Pasha
1848–1863 – Ahmad Agha Duzdar Al-Asali (Governor of Jerusalem)
1863–1867 – Abdelrahman al-Dajani
1867 – Rafadulo Astiriyadis Effendi (acting)
1867–1869 – Abdelrahman al-Dajani
1869 – Mūsā Faydī al-'Alamī
1869–1870 – Abd al-Salām Paşa al Ḥusaynī
1870–1876 – Yousef Al-Khalidi
1876–1877 – A group of three leaders (Triumvirate)
1877 – Shaḥāda Faydallāh al-'Alamī
1877–1878 – Rafadulo Astiriyadis Effendi (acting)
1878–1879 – Yousef Al-Khalidi
1879–1881 – Mūsā Faydī al-'Alamī
1882–1897 – Ḥusayn Salīm Paşa al Ḥusaynī
1897–1899 – Yaseen al-Khalidi
1899–1906 – Yousef Al-Khalidi
1906–1909 – Faidi al-Alami
1909–1917 – Hussein al-Husayni
1917–1918 – Aref al-Dajani
1918–1920 – Musa Kazim al-Husayni

Mandatory Palestine (1920–1948)

During the British Mandate, Jerusalem had several mayors.

		Term start	Term end
20	Raghib al-Nashashibi	1920	1934
21	Husayn al-Khalidi	1934	1937
22	Daniel Auster	1937	1938
23	Mustafa al-Khalidi	1938	1944†
(22)	Daniel Auster	1944	1945
-	City Council committee	1945	1948