Jerusalem City Hall has decided to hire the legal services of Moti Berkowitz to address the changes in the building code regarding Shiloach (Kfar Silwan) because Mayor Nir Barak explained the position of the city’s legal advisor, Yossi Chavilov, is known to all.

The city attorney is adamantly opposed to the growing Jewish presence in the eastern capital, and his presence on the committee would guarantee to torpedo ongoing efforts to accommodate the growing Jewish population.

The mayor explains that Chavilov is working to seal Beit Yehonatan as State Prosecutor Lador last week ordered Barkat to comply with a High Court ruling and seal the structure as was reported by YWN-Israel (http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=46503).

Berkowitz is well qualified, representing Beit Shemesh City Hall in recent petitions seeking to halt a new chareidi housing project. The High Court on Sunday gave a final ruling in favor of City Hall, removing the last barrier in that legal battle.

Barkat began probing the idea of an outsider to advise the city officials regarding Shiloach, but his planned move was met with accusations that such a move is simply unacceptable. Nevertheless, Barkat learned he is on firm legal ground and while he may be setting a precedent, he is within his legal operating boundaries, compelling Chavilov to agree, albeit with prejudice. Chavilov called the move “anti-democratic” the daily HaMevaser reports. The bottom line is it was determined the mayor does indeed have the right to hire the services of an outside legal advisor.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)