Jerusalem Religious Council officials warn they are on the verge of fiscal collapse and if a solution is not forthcoming in the very near future, religious services in the capital may come to an abrupt halt.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs sent a letter to Jerusalem City Hall informing officials that the current arrangement, by which the national government funds 40% of the city�s religious services, leaving 60% for local government is coming to an end. The new arrangement calls on Jerusalem City Hall to undertake 75%, of funding, leaving 25% for the national government.

City Hall officials explain this is simply not possible, explaining the city barely has the funds to cover the 60%, stating emphatically, 75% is unrealistic and a non-starter.

Deputy Mayor David Atari of the national religious camp sent a letter to Minister of Religious Services (Shas) Yitzchak Cohen, stating the national government�s demands are unreasonable.

In his letter, Atari calls the nation government�s decision unacceptable, calling for an urgent meeting next week to include representatives of City Hall and the national government, warning that failure to reach a mutually acceptable solution will bring a halt to many essential services such as fuel for mikvaos and checking and maintaining the city�s eruv.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)