After 15 years of political activity, the chairman of the opposition in Jerusalem dissident: This was announced today (Thursday) by Ofer Berkowitz, chairman of the Jerusalem ‘Awakening’ faction. In a post on Facebook, Berkowitz wrote: “After almost 15 years of being at the head of this amazing movement, I have decided to take a break from leading a revival.”
Lost to Leon, faced Gideon Sa’ar
Berkowitz, who founded the movement about 15 years ago, turned it into one of the largest factions in the Jerusalem Municipality. In the past, as I recall, Berkovich ran against Moshe Leon in the elections for the mayor of Jerusalem but lost and since then his faction has been sitting in the opposition in the Jerusalem municipality.
Ofer Berkowitz Photo: Revkin Fenton/Flash90
“The time has come to take a deep breath and pause”
Berkowitz, who in the previous elections even ran on Gideon Sa’ar’s ‘Tikva Gadsha’ list, announced today his retirement from political life after 15 years of activity. In the post he wrote: “The time has come to take a breather and pause in this great process. There are many considerations: the renewal of the movement, the assessment of the political situation, the desire to allow the emergence of new growth and influence. Family considerations, professional considerations, economic considerations and more.”
Berkowitz added: “I hesitated before I made this decision. My stomach turned several times. I can say that awakening is good in front of me. Then also the personal and family considerations. Awakening goes to the election of a new chairman, about a year before municipal elections, in orderly and democratic regulations. I wanted this process to be clean and allow new people to enter the leadership position.”