J'lem mayor: We could lose Jewish majority in capital by 2035

By ETGAR LEFKOVITS
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said Monday that Israel's capital would lose its Jewish majority within a quarter of a century if current demographics trends continue. Barkat said that 17,000 Jews were leaving Jerusalem each year for other Israeli cities and towns, primarily in search of affordable housing and job opportunities "As shareholders of the city, we cannot allow ourselves to let the current situation continue," Barkat told a gathering of the New York-based World Jewish Congress meeting in Jerusalem. "We must remain focused on our goal of keeping Jerusalem Jewish and united."