Jerusalem is considered holy to the world’s three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Managing the daily life of such a complex and deeply symbolic city is no simple task. The man overseeing much of that challenge is Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion.
Lion took office on December 4, 2018, and was re-elected five years later for a second term. Since then, he has led a series of large-scale infrastructure and urban renewal projects aimed at modernizing Israel’s capital while accommodating its rapidly growing population.
According to reports published by The Jerusalem Post, one of Lion’s most significant achievements has been dramatically increasing housing construction in the city. Before his tenure, Jerusalem averaged roughly 2,000 new apartments annually. Under Lion’s leadership, that number has grown to between 6,000 and 7,000 units per year.
The issue is especially important because Jerusalem is Israel’s largest city, home to nearly one million residents and a population that continues to expand.
Lion has also accelerated the development of the Jerusalem Light Rail system while expanding bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure throughout the city. Areas once marked by cracked sidewalks and aging streets have undergone visible upgrades, with new paving stones, green cycling paths, and improved public spaces designed to support a more modern urban lifestyle.
In addition, the municipality has launched extensive sanitation and cleanup initiatives across Jerusalem. Residents have reported cleaner streets, more consistent waste collection, and noticeable improvements in the city’s overall appearance and quality of life.
Lion is one of several senior Israeli officials expected to speak at the Jerusalem Post Annual Conference on June 1 in New York.
For more information and tickets, visit www.jpost.com/ny26.