Mayors blast Steinitz, Yishai

The chairman of the forum of regional councils, Shmuel Reifman, used yesterday's press conference to lavish sarcastic praise on Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz for having finally managed to unite the three umbrella organizations for local governments in a common struggle.

In contrast to the last protest strike called by the Union of Local Authorities, this time, the country's 15 largest cities - which have their own union - will also halt municipal services.

The mayors say the person to lobby for the funding they require is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Steinitz, Reifman charged, is "weak and unable to make a decision."

Reifman also lashed out at Interior Minister Eli Yishai. Every time they met, Reifman said, "I felt like pulling out a tissue so he could wipe his tears, and then giving him a check so he could pay the local authorities."

Yishai was also criticized by Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai. Having first burdened the major cities by backing a law that forces them to subsidize religious councils in other locales, Huldai charged, "he's now saying 'I'm not embarking on any political fights, because I've gotten what I need.' The local authorities need a minister who will fight with us, a minister who will help us when we contact him."

Yishai declined to comment. (Fadi Eyadat)