Nir Barkat

Nir Barkat (Hebrew ניר ברקת; * October 19, 1959 in Jerusalem) is an Israeli businessman and politician. He was elected on 11 November 2008 for the Mayor of Jerusalem, and took office on December 3, 2008.

Life

Barkat was born in 1959 in Jerusalem, where he also grew up. He served six years in the Paratroopers Brigade of the Israeli Army (1977-1983), from which he retired with the rank of Major. He studied computer science and business administration at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 1988 he founded a company specializing in anti-virus software software company.

2003 Barkat came with the founding of the party Yerushalayim Tatzliyah (Jerusalem will be successful ) in politics. He was defeated in the same year in the mayor's election campaign the ultra-orthodox candidate Uri Lupolianski with 43 ​​% of the votes and thus became Leader of the Opposition. On 11 November 2008 he won the election for mayor of Jerusalem against his rival Meir Porush of ultra-Orthodox Yahadut Hatorah with 52% to 43% of the vote. Lupolianski did not compete again.

Barkat is married and has three daughters.