The chairman of the Hisorarus party and Jerusalem Deputy Mayor has initiated a request to the mayor to permit residents of Jerusalem to express their opinion on the plan that is supposed to regulate the character of the educational institutions in some of the neighborhoods according to their demographic data. “If the city is like a pizza tray, then Barkat gives the litvish chareidim the whole tray with the additions”.

The idea was initiated by Deputy Mayor of Jerusalem and Chairman of the Awakening Movement Ofer Berkowitz, who asked Mayor Nir Barkat to involve the city’s residents in the municipality’s decision on the plan.

“We have a deep disagreement with Mayor Nir Barkat about a failed and unequal distribution agreement that harms the Zionist public in Jerusalem,” Berkowitz said. “If the city is likened to a pizza tray where everyone is supposed to take part, then Barkat gives the litvish chareidim the whole tray.

Berkowitz is now demanding a citywide referendum on the plan, which was not placed before the voter in 2013.

According to the Srugim website report, it should be noted that council members and other elements in the city have often claimed that an agreement was signed between Barkat and the chareidi representatives, an agreement was signed regulating the allocation of educational institutions in the city. It should be noted that both sides denied that such understandings existed.

Less than a month ago, it was learned that not only are the understandings between the mayor and the chareidi council members present, but that they outline the various needs in the mixed neighborhoods in the city and according to the future demographic trends it determines the nature of the educational institution to be built in each neighborhood.

The neighborhoods included in the agreement are N’vei Yaakov, Pisgat Ze’ev, Ramot, French Hill, Ramat Eshkol, Kiryat Moshe, Givat Mordechai, Bayit Vegan, Kiryat Yovel and Gilo. According to report, Barkat doesn’t plan to bring a document for the city council’s approval, leading to unrest among the council members.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)