Sunday, June 30, 2019, marks the last day that mayors elected in the last municipal election can pass their budget according to the regulations set by the Ministry of the Interior. In cities that a budget has not been passed, the ministry will appoint a temporary committee to oversee the running of the city, to replace the mayor. It appears this will be the case in Tiveria involving Mayor Ron Kobi.

Opposition member Refael Terbelsi has suggested to Kobi to step down and hand over the leadership of the city to the next in line on his party’s list, Miri Azoulai, who according to Terbelsi will succeed in passing a city budget. Kobi is expected to reject the opposition’s suggestion, which will lead to the intervention of the Interior Ministry.

Kobi has been prevented from passing a city budget a number of times by the dati leumi and chareidi opposition parties, who are united and working together towards ousting the newly elected mayor, who is determined to undermine the religious status quo in the city.

In a live Facebook broadcast on Shabbos, as is his norm, Kobi stated he would operate buses on Shabbos and let grocery stores open, adding there would be another city council meeting on Sunday, during which efforts to break apart the council would likely continue.

“They will try to send us home” he exclaims, adding “And who is trying to do this? Aryeh Deri…members of the opposition do not wish to see me pass a budget. They want a hearing for the mayor and his ousting so that they can takeover the city and turn the city into a chareidi one. So that’s it. It will not occur. And if it does occur, oust Deri from Knesset”.

“We all come from Tiveria” Kobi continued, adding, “The sea, the sun and the beaches. It should be clear. Anyone wishing to destroy Tiveria – we will not permit them! Tiveria will not go backwards in time to the dark days! Everything here will be open on Shabbos and Yomim Tovim in the city. I invite everyone.

“The HaYamin HaChiloni (the name of his party in general election) does not stop in Tiveria. From here, we will oust Aryeh Deri from government” stated Kobi, who has a vision of entering Knesset in the upcoming general election.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)