Jerusalem holds ceremony to welcome new year 2023

The mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Leon, and his wife Stavit hosted the annual new year opening ceremony for residents of the city from all religions and communities in the City Council chamber on December 27.

The special evening was attended by ambassadors, other members of the diplomatic corps, and religious leaders including Rabbi Shlomo Amar, the muchtar of Isawiyya, Hader Abid, and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III. The director-general of the municipality, Itzik Larry, and many others also participated.

The ceremony is an annual demonstration of unity and friendship in the heart of Jerusalem, which is holy to the three religions.

During the ceremony, a short video on Jerusalem and its many sites was screened, and singer Luai Ali performed the songs "Tamali Ma'ak" and "Alla Bali".

The mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Leon, said "Jerusalem is in great momentum and rapid development with mutual responsibility by its residents from all sectors. During the past year, the city made many achievements. Today Jerusalem is cleaner, modern, a sports and culture capital, and offers more and more places of employment; high tech is thriving, public transportation is rapidly developing, with additional transportation lanes, and there are a variety of other achievements in all fields. The city has moved forward during the last year. The new year will bring good news, processes, and achievements. We will continue to invest, support, nurture, and harvest the fruits in all fields in the city of Jerusalem in 2023 as well. May we all have a happy and fruitful new year of mutual responsibility."