Israel’s capital was without municipal services, except for water, electric power and hospital facilities, today, as all officials and civil service workers refused to work without payment of back wages.
The Mayor of the city was the only official to enter the municipalities offices this morning The others remained away in a strike which was formally announced Friday night at the close of last week.
The municipality has been unable to meet the May payroll because of a huge deficit. When officials approached the Minister of Interior, they were told that money would be forthcoming only if the municipality accepted one of two conditions: either the present municipal council resigns and a municipal commission is appointed to run the city; or that the opposition in the city government agrees to join the administration. The council has not yet decided on any course.
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