Local government is on strike today, Wednesday, halting many services including garbage collection; office hours to the public in city halls; and municipal traffic inspectors, who will not be issuing parking tickets, perhaps the only desired result of the strike.

Police warn that the free for all regarding parking may result in significant traffic snarls in major cities, urging motorists to avoid using their cars if not absolutely necessary.

Striking local government employees are threatening to block major intersections around the country during the afternoon/evening rush hour.

Shlomo Buchbut, who heads the Union of Local Authorities told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) that the national government has severely cut funding to local government over the past seven years and today, in many communities, matnas community centers have closed their doors and services to citizens continue to deteriorate as a result of the lack of funds. Buchbut stated Interior Minister Eli Yishai supports the battle, aware the national government has gone too far. Buchbut added in a number of local municipalities, civil service employees have not been paid.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)