Massive loan guarantees from wealthy individuals with ties to the former Soviet Union appear to have put Ze’ev Elkin, a leading contender to be Jerusalem’s next mayor, way ahead of his rivals when it comes to declared campaign funding. Elkin — currently the government’s environmental protection and Jerusalem affairs minister — has raised NIS 6,166,000 ($1.7 million) for his election campaign, according to figures released by the State Comptroller’s Office. Elkin, 47, immigrated from Ukraine in 1990, and began his political career in the Kadima party under Ariel Sharon.
— source timesofisrael.com | 24 Oct 2018