The central Israeli city of Ra’anana is to be headed by Israel’s first openly gay mayor following a council vote Thursday night.

Eitan Ginzburg replaces Ze’ev Bielski, who was appointed by Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon to become the head of the national housing program in the Finance Ministry.

Ginzburg wrote on his website that he “wants to lead Ra’anana to new achievements, to make it the most innovative city in Israel.”

Get The Times of Israel's Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up

He will serve as mayor until October’s elections, when he is expected to run for his own full term.

Yesh Atid MK Yael German, who previously served as mayor in neighboring Herzliya, congratulated Ginzburg on his appointment.

“What a great joy for Eitan Ginzburg’s election to become mayor of Ra’anana,” she tweeted. “With all my heart I wish that he will remain in the position for many years, be successful and remove another brick from the wall of homophobia.”