Slippery Slope

The State Comptroller, Yosef Shapira, has determined that Nazereth-Illit mayor Shimon Gapso tried to fire the city’s treasurer, Ofer Levy, because he tried to expose corruption within city hall.

(Hebrew – News1)

In a booklet distributed by Nazareth Illit mayor Shimon Gapso to the city’s residents Gapso details how he acted “to preserve the Jewish majority of the city by means which are best not mentioned.” (Haaretz)

(Hebrew – Haaretz)

Haifa District Labor Court Justice, Michal Naim-Diebner has ruled that Karmiel mayor, Adi Eldar, fired the city engineer illegaly due to political considerations.

(Hebrew – News1)

Tel Aviv Deputy Mayor, Peer Visner, was charged with forgery, using a forgery and receipt of benefits under false pretenses.

(Hebrew)

Israeli mayors are making apparently improper use of public funds to promote themselves via friendly billboards, particularly when seeking reelection. Among those accused of this practice are the mayors of Kfar-Saba, Hod HaSharon, and Givataim. (Haaretz)

(Hebrew – Haaretz)

Right-wing members of the Jerusalem City Council succeeded in blocking a master plan for Palestinian building in the Old City, saying one of their big objections was its omission of a new Jewish neighborhood in the Muslim Quarter. (Haaretz)

(Hebrew – Haaretz)

The Tel-Aviv municipality has designated an area of free parking as a paid parking zone specifically during hours in which prayers are held in an adjacent mosque.

(Hebrew – mynet)

Beitar Illit mayor, Meir Rubinstein, was questioned under warning on suspicion that he tried to prevent residents from complaining about two of the city’s residents who allegedly assaulted and threatened female residents they deemed guilty of “unchaste behavior.” (Ynetnews)

(Hebrew – Ynet)

Many mayors continue to serve in their positions despite ongoing criminal proceedings being held against them. Among such mayors are Ramat-Gan Mayor Zvi Bar, Ramat-HaSharon Mayor, Yitzhak Rochberger, Petach-Tikva Mayor, Yitzhak Ochayon, and Bat-Yam Mayor, Shlomi Lahiani. (Haaretz)

(Hebrew – Haaretz)

Despite an approval in principle received by the director of Mizra psychiatric hospital, Prof. Ilana Kramer, from the Acco municipal engineer, to construct a hardened building in the hospital, the city of Acco refused to approve construction.

(Hebrew – Haaretz)