Interior Minister Aryeh Deri on Tuesday, 4 Shevat, day three of the Jerusalem Municipality strike, instructed Interior Minister Director-General Mordechai Cohen to become personally involved and meet with senior decision-makers in Jerusalem City Hall and the Finance Ministry in the hope of bringing the sides to an agreement.

As Jerusalem streets are lined with mounting garbage, Deri instructed both sides to work it out so the strike will end. In addition, strike leaders announced on Tuesday morning that city-run kindergartens and afternoon programs would also join the strike, compelling many parents to remain home from work to take care of their little ones. The city’s special education network is not impacted by the strike.

Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat insists the city requires an additional NIS 200 in the state budget while Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon insists the mayor’s fiscal irresponsibility is the reason for the lack of available funding, not the budget the city receives from the national government.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)