Political storm in Kiryat Shmona: The local religious council was dissolved and the chairman, Rabbi Yitzhak Kakkon, who had held the position for over two decades, was removed - following an announcement by the Director General of the Ministry of Religious Services, Yehuda Avidan.
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The Kiryat Shmona municipality reacted sharply to the move and sent an urgent warning letter, before taking legal action, demanding that the appointment of Rabbi Shimon Malka as head of the council be canceled.
According to a report on the Ynet website, the municipality claims that the Ministry of Religious Services is using a 'detour' to take over religious services in the city and appoint political activists close to Shas.
Municipality officials claim that the ministry resorted to "foot-dragging tactics" and ignored an agreed list of candidates that was submitted to it - in order to allow the council to be dissolved when the legal deadline for its appointment passed.
The letter sent to Avidan claims that Rabbi Shimon Malka, who was appointed as the authorized signatory, has a clear political affiliation with Shas. "Rabbi Malka has no special qualifications that justify appointing him as a signatory despite his political affiliation," the letter states.
The municipality demanded that the situation be restored to normal before turning to the High Court.
The heads of the authorities in the area, including Avichai Stern from Kiryat Shmona, Assaf Langelvan from the Upper Galilee, Benny Ben Mobhar from Mevot Hermon, and David Azulai from Metula, published a joint letter of support for Rabbi Kekun.
The Ministry of Religious Services responded by saying that they have deep respect for Rabbi Kekun, but the expiration of his term is the result of a binding legal regulation and not a personal decision.
The ministry clarified that Rabbi Malka's appointment is "urgent technical and managerial" as a temporary signing officer only, to ensure the payment of salaries to council employees and suppliers.
The Ministry of Religious Services placed the responsibility on the municipality and claimed, "Unfortunately, the Kiryat Shmona City Council and the mayor were unable to reach a composition for the Religious Council as required by law and brought about the expiration of the term of the incumbent chairman, Rabbi Yitzhak Kakkon.".
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