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Secularist 'wins Jerusalem vote' Secularist 'wins Jerusalem vote'
(about 7 hours later)
Israeli secular politician Nir Barkat is in the lead in the election to choose a new Jerusalem mayor, an exit poll suggests. Israeli secular politician Nir Barkat is heading for victory in the election to choose a new Jerusalem mayor, partial results suggest.
According to the poll by Israel's Channel 1 TV, Mr Barkat got 50% of votes, against 42% for his main rival, ultra-Orthodox rabbi Meir Porush. With one-third of votes counted, Mr Barkat was well ahead of his main rival, the ultra-orthodox rabbi, Meir Porush, according to Israeli media.
To win outright a candidate must gain at least 40% of the vote.To win outright a candidate must gain at least 40% of the vote.
The hard-fought campaign has raised tensions between Israel's religious and secular Jews.The hard-fought campaign has raised tensions between Israel's religious and secular Jews.
A confirmed win for Mr Barkat, 49, would end a five-year rule of ultra-Orthodox Mayor Uri Lupolianski. Mr Barkat has pledged to represent all the people of Jerusalem, whether or not they voted for him.
A confirmed win for the 49-year-old would end a five-year rule of ultra-Orthodox Mayor Uri Lupolianski.
Both the main candidates are on the right of the political spectrum and have promised to build extensively in what the rest of the world regards as occupied East Jerusalem, says the BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem.Both the main candidates are on the right of the political spectrum and have promised to build extensively in what the rest of the world regards as occupied East Jerusalem, says the BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem.
NIR BARKAT Former paratrooperHigh-tech entrepreneurJerusalem city councillorCampaigned on a secular ticket Holy city faces splits and declineObstacles to peace: JerusalemNIR BARKAT Former paratrooperHigh-tech entrepreneurJerusalem city councillorCampaigned on a secular ticket Holy city faces splits and declineObstacles to peace: Jerusalem
Most Palestinians and Israeli Arabs - who account for about a third of Jerusalem's population - have not taken part in the election.Most Palestinians and Israeli Arabs - who account for about a third of Jerusalem's population - have not taken part in the election.
The status of Jerusalem is one of the most hotly-contested issues in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.The status of Jerusalem is one of the most hotly-contested issues in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
Israelis see the city as their capital, and Palestinians want to locate the capital of a future state in the east of the city, which Israel occupied in the 1967 Israeli-Arab war.Israelis see the city as their capital, and Palestinians want to locate the capital of a future state in the east of the city, which Israel occupied in the 1967 Israeli-Arab war.
Correspondents say that as well as handling the political tensions, the mayor faces major challenges improving traffic flow and cleanliness, tackling high property prices and attracting fresh business to the city.Correspondents say that as well as handling the political tensions, the mayor faces major challenges improving traffic flow and cleanliness, tackling high property prices and attracting fresh business to the city.
Local elections took place in 160 other areas of Israel ahead of national polls on 10 February.Local elections took place in 160 other areas of Israel ahead of national polls on 10 February.