Former Jerusalem Mayor Kolleck dies

JERUSALEM, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Teddy Kollek, who was Jerusalem's mayor from 1965 until 1993, died Tuesday in his retirement home apartment at the age of 95.

Kollek served as the city's longest-running mayor, marking 28 years at the city's helm, until he was ousted by Ehud Olmert, who went on to become prime minister, YNetNews reported Tuesday.

Kollek's service as mayor during the unification of Jerusalem after the 1967 war boosted his profile and made him one of the country's most popular public figures, the Jerusalem Post said. He said he envisioned the city as a "beautiful mosaic" where Jews, Christians and Muslims lived side by side in peace.

"Teddy was Jerusalem and Jerusalem was Teddy. He embodied in his spirit and his personality the true unification of Jerusalem, the capital of the state of Israel," said Uri Lupolianski, the city's current mayor.

After the unification, the mayor participated in the creation of the Israel Museum, the Jerusalem Theater, the Jerusalem Cinematheque, Mishkenot Sha'ananim, Teddy Stadium and many other institutions in the city.

Funeral processions are scheduled for Thursday, followed by a burial at Jerusalem's Mount Herzl cemetery, YNetNews said.