Tensions continue between Jerusalem City Hall and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon, with the latter accused of ignoring the needs of the nation’s capital due to the ongoing conflict between Kahlon and Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. The mayor supported Likud in the last Knesset elections and not Kahlon’s Kulanu party.

Barkat during his years in office, now in a second term, explains Kahlon has been retaliating against the city because he is angry with the mayor. Barkat explains it is absurd as due to personal issues the senior minister is harming Jerusalem, which has received less than half the operating budget given to Tel Aviv. Barkat insists the current situation is untenable, and he will continue tenacious efforts until the appropriate national budget is released.

It is also explained that because Kahlon does not release funds, parents will have to pay twice as much for preschools and kindergartens due to the fact the treasury has not authorized allocating NIS 20 million as part of the “Nitzanim” project for 2018. This means if the funds are not forthcoming, many families will have to pay hundreds of shekels monthly for extended afternoon daycare programs. In Jerusalem, this will impact at least 36,500 children.

Barkat during recent days has been on radio issuing warnings and calling on the finance minister to fulfil his responsibilities to the capital. Speaking with Betzalel Kahn of Kol Chai Radio on Thursday morning, 17 Teves, Barkat said “This is a war for the honor and future of Jerusalem and I will not give in. the mayor adds “Jerusalem has been discriminated against regarding state budget for decades”, promising to continue working to correct this.

City officials explain that while the mayor’s battle continues, reality is what it is and the firing of 2,150 city employees has begun. Over 1,000 city workers will receive dismissal notices before Shabbos including sanitation personnel, city policing and municipally workers, 160 well-baby clinic workers, 18 employment unit workers and others.

Barkat told Kol Chai Radio the situation cannot be permitted to continue as one man, the finance minister, is acting as he pleases with a government ministry, and Jerusalem is unable to function properly and taking loans and seeking other creative solutions to continue operating under the financial crunch that exists today, which he insists will directly impact over 2,000 families.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)