Between garbage mountains and municipal cash celebrations: What's happening in Bnei Brak

Bnei Brak, the largest Haredi city in Israel, has fallen into a deficit of 130 million shekels, mountains of garbage pile up in the streets, and behind the scenes a fierce political battle is underway between Shas and United Torah Judaism ahead of the elections. The Interior Ministry, controlled by Shas, has threatened emergency economic measures, while the mayor denies a crisis. An investigative report reveals the connection between intra-sectoral politics and the dire state of infrastructure.

Bnei Brak, the largest Haredi city in Israel, has fallen into a budget deficit of 130 million shekels, about 8% of its budget. Mountains of garbage pile up in the streets, complaints about sanitary hazards are increasing, and the Interior Ministry, controlled by Shas, has threatened emergency economic measures, including appointing a supervising accountant who would transfer control of city management from the mayor's office – a member of Agudat Yisrael – to the Interior Ministry. Behind the scenes, a fierce political battle is underway between Shas and United Torah Judaism ahead of the Knesset elections. The article reveals the connection between intra-sectoral politics and the dire state of infrastructure, and quotes Aryeh Deri saying that "if I am not for myself, who will be for me" and that "intervention from above" is needed to advance things in the city. The mayor, Hanokh Zeibert, denied a crisis and claimed the city is "in a streamlining process."