Senior Labor Party official Ophir Pines-Paz warns that Jerusalem mayoral candidate Nir Barkat may lose the party�s support due to his �extreme views�. Pines was referring to Barkat�s statements last week expressing support for the establishment of a permanent Jewish presence in the Anata area known as the Shar Mizrach project.

As was reported by YWN on Sunday, police on Shabbos moved in and forcibly evicted a family during their Shabbos evening meal, compelling them to be mechalel Shabbos.

�I think he forgot Labor endorsed him� stated Pines, who is now calling upon Barkat to issue a retraction regarding his support for the expanded Jewish presence in the Greater Yerushalayim.

Pines explains his �Jerusalem will Succeed� list is a party list and he derives benefit from the name as well as Labor support in return for following the party�s political agenda.

Barkat recently visited the Anata site and stated from his point of view, the housing in that area would provide a viable solution to the critical housing shortage for university students and young couples, being driven out of the capital by increasing foreign investment and high-end luxury developments.

Pines states that the Shar Mizrach project is intended to provide a territorial link between Jerusalem and Maale Adumim, a reality that would foil PA (Palestinian Authority) plans for land contiguity between Ramallah and Bet Lechem. This Pines exclaims would be �disastrous� and is totally unacceptable to Labor.

�Barkat�s extreme statements will result in left-wing voters remaining home [on Election Day]� stated Pines, who demands he withdraws his stated support for the project.

The Barkat for Mayor Campaign stated anyone who remains home and does not vote is in essence casting a vote for the opposition…�

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)