Local government leaders appear adamant to move ahead with a planned two-day strike on Sunday and Monday, days before Rosh Hashanah. They explain they are unable to tolerate the budgetary cuts from the national government or the imposed water tariff, which they feel will place a serious monetary strain on too many homes.

The strike will result in a cessation in garbage pickup as well as impacting schools, school bus transportation, local governmental offices and more. Strike leaders warn this is only a “warning” and they will launch an open-ended strike following Simchas Torah is their concerns are not addressed satisfactorily by the national government.

On Monday, 130 mayors and municipality leaders are expected to protest outside the Prime Minister’s Office and Finance Ministry, escorted by garbage trucks and fire trucks, a recipe for major traffic snarls in the capital. The vehicular convoy also promises to tie up Highway 1, the Jerusalem Tel Aviv Highway.

Education Ministry officials report they will do everything they can to keep schools open. The National PTA will be petitioning the Supreme Court in the hope of obtaining a restraining order to block the closure of schools, now, in the first weeks of the new school year. The PTA accuses the Union of Local Authorities of taking advantage of the nation’s students to advance their own goals.

Jerusalem City Hall has announced it will not be joining in, promising to continue operating as usual without an interruption in municipal services.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)