Nir Barkat

Nir Barkat
Name	Nir Barkat
Birth date	1959
Birth place	Jerusalem
Nationality	Israel
Occupation	Businessman, Politician
Known for	Former Mayor of Jerusalem, founder of Brilliant and Startup Nation

Nir Barkat is an Israeli entrepreneur and politician who served as Mayor of Jerusalem and later pursued national office. He co-founded technology companies and led municipal initiatives linking Jerusalem with international partners. Barkat has been a prominent figure in Israeli partisan contests, technology advocacy, and philanthropic activities.

Early life and education

Barkat was born in Jerusalem and raised in a family with roots in Acre and Safed. He served in the Israel Defense Forces as part of the Amitim program and later attended the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he studied computer science and business administration while engaging with student organizations connected to Likud and civic activism. He completed further studies at institutions linked to Jerusalem College of Technology and participated in executive programs associated with global business schools.

Business career

Barkat co-founded the software company Brilliant and later founded Align Communications and other start-ups that operated in sectors overlapping with communications protocols and network management technologies. His ventures attracted investment from international firms including partners from Silicon Valley, Boston investors, and European technology funds. He served on the boards of companies linked to Intel partners and engaged with accelerators that cooperated with Tel Aviv University and Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. Barkat invested in venture capital vehicles active in the Israeli startup ecosystem and spoke at conferences alongside figures from Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and representatives of multinational corporations.

Political career

Barkat entered municipal politics aligning with figures from Likud circles and won election bids supported by coalitions including local branches of national parties such as Yisrael Beiteinu and Kulanu. He built alliances with city council members affiliated with Shas and United Torah Judaism to govern municipal coalitions. Barkat engaged with diplomatic delegations from United States delegations, representatives from the European Union, and municipal counterparts from cities like New York City, Paris, and Berlin to promote Jerusalem's municipal interests.

Tenure as Mayor of Jerusalem

As mayor, Barkat focused on urban development projects with partnerships involving the Israel Land Administration, private developers connected to firms in Jerusalem Venture Partners, and international investors from United Arab Emirates delegations and China. He supported infrastructure projects adjacent to the Old City of Jerusalem and coordinated with the Police of Israel on public safety initiatives. Barkat led municipal initiatives on tourism promoting sites such as the Western Wall, the Mount of Olives, and the Tower of David. He worked with cultural institutions including the Israel Museum, the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra, and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem to expand programs. His tenure included controversies over zoning linked to the Jerusalem Municipality Building Plan and disputes involving non-governmental organizations like B'Tselem and advocacy groups representing Palestinian residents and Jewish neighborhoods.

National political activities and Knesset campaigns

Barkat has campaigned for national office in contests featuring leaders from Likud, Blue and White, and Yair Lapid. He explored leadership bids that intersected with figures such as Benjamin Netanyahu, Avigdor Lieberman, and Naftali Bennett. Barkat's national campaigns coordinated with media outlets including The Jerusalem Post, Haaretz, and Yedioth Ahronoth and engaged advisers with prior experience in campaigns for Ehud Olmert and Ariel Sharon. He sought alliances with parties representing economic liberals and civic activists and negotiated electoral arrangements involving Kulanu and centrist formations.

Political positions and ideology

Barkat identifies with center-right positions associated with Likud traditions emphasizing market-friendly policies and technological innovation. He advocates for strengthening ties with international partners such as the United States and fostering business development with locations like Silicon Wadi, Tel Aviv, and global hubs including London and San Francisco. On municipal matters he emphasized public-private partnerships drawing on models from New York City and Singapore. His positions on contested issues have led to debate with civil society groups including Peace Now and rights organizations like Human Rights Watch regarding urban planning and demographic policies in Jerusalem.

Personal life and philanthropy

Barkat is married with children and active in philanthropic initiatives supporting education, technology incubation, and cultural heritage projects. He has donated to institutions including the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Foundation, and charitable programs linked to Israel Philharmonic Orchestra outreach and medical centers such as Hadassah Medical Center. Barkat participates in forums alongside philanthropists from families connected to philanthropy in Israel and has partnered with foundations that support entrepreneurship at institutions like Bar-Ilan University and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Category:Israeli politicians Category:Mayors of Jerusalem