The opposition in Beit Shemesh is not calming down: In a letter sent by members of the municipal opposition led by Eli Cohen on the eve of the holiday - and addressed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar, and Construction and Housing Minister Uri Ariel, they ask for a freeze on construction in Ramat Beit Shemesh.
In a long letter, they claim: "Thousands of the city's residents expressed their protest at the desire of the mayor and members of the Haredi city council to transform the city into a Haredi city by massively building tens of thousands of housing units for the Haredi public at discounted prices. This position was unfortunately supported by the previous Israeli government and encouraged by the Haredi and other parties.".
According to them, "All of our attempts by the majority of the city's public to build Beit Shemesh as a multicultural city have met with an impenetrable wall, and recently an ultra-Orthodox coalition was formed, supported by extremists whose only desire is to turn Beit Shemesh into an ultra-Orthodox city.".
""As you know, many residents of the city are considering, and most of them support, dividing the city into two cities, an ultra-Orthodox city and a city for the national, traditional and general religious public. In this framework, 9 of the 19 council members representing 49% of the boys, as expressed in the recent elections, are holding a series of meetings with you and other elements in the government and the Knesset with the aim of ensuring that all residents of Beit Shemesh can live each according to their faith, and receive the services they deserve as residents of the State of Israel, who pay their taxes legally, and even examine the division plan.
""In light of the ongoing discussion, we, the undersigned members of the City Council, appeal to you to freeze the construction plan for the city, and to postpone the District Committee meeting scheduled for April 30, 2014, until the future of the city of Beit Shemesh is decided as a national policy, in discussions that we will hold together with you.".
The plans that the opposition wants to freeze are the plans for the construction of Ramat Beit Shemesh D, with a total of 5,100 housing units to be built in the tenders. Planning began in the previous term, and the plans are now in the final stages before going out to tender.
The letter is signed by opposition members: Eli Cohen, Richard Peres, Motti Cohen, Shalom Edri, Stella Walter, Moshe Shitrit, Haim Ben Margi, Menashe Elias and Elisaf Varman.
A senior Haredi official in the city, who spoke with Haredim10, Attacks opposition members: "The claims made in the letter are false. We build for everyone without distinction, and I regret that they are unable to accept the democratic decision. In any case, it will not help them, because the demographics in the city are clearly in favor of the Haredi public.".
The source added: "In any reformed city, the losers would try to integrate into the action and act for the good of the city, and they are only busy disrupting. This whole idea of dividing the city comes to cover up the disgrace of losing the elections. No one takes them seriously.".
Mayor Moshe Aboutbul said in response that he prefers to wait for the Interior Minister's decision, which will be after the holiday.
In response to the Haredim10 appeal, opposition leader Eli Cohen said: "Best wishes to you and the entire Jewish people and the residents of Beit Shemesh, for a happy and kosher holiday, a true holiday of freedom.".
The chairman of the local planning and building committee and a member of the district committee, Moshe Montag, said: "I regret that council members do not know how to lose with dignity and embrace democracy only where it is convenient for them. We are acting purely professionally, this is the mayor's position to build for everyone and I embrace it, therefore we will continue, with God's help, to build Greater Beit Shemesh even more vigorously.".
Councilman Richard Press declined to comment.
The Interior Ministry said they are on leave until after the holiday.
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