Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat announced on Tuesday, 26 Teves, that there is no alternative to launching a strike beginning on Sunday, 2 Shevat due to the Finance Ministry’s foot-dragging in approving the city’s budget for 2017.

Barkat sent a sharply worded letter to Finance Minister Moshe Katsav explaining Israel’s capital is facing a crises which may lead to the fiscal collapse of the city’s essential services. He adds that government aid in recent years has waned, leaving the city in a hole.

The mayor adds as the city plans to mark 50 years since becoming united and while Israel’s enemies continue efforts to weaken Jerusalem’s standing, preventing construction and development as well as relocating the US Embassy to the city, the city hopes the treasury will stand at its side and give the necessary backing rather than making excuses. He adds the city must receive the appropriate budget without having to resort to extending its hand out seeking contributions.

The mayor adds that in recent negotiations between the city and the treasury it was decided that the appropriate sum would be NIS 800 million but to date, this remains in the realm of a promise, nothing more. This, the mayor explains impacts the lives of the city’s almost 900,000 residents as well as the millions of visitors. The current situation will compel the dismissal of employees, all due to the position of the treasury.

The mayor is calling on Kahlon to immediately approve and release the city’s 2017 budget to prevent a strike and permit the city to operate as it should.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)