Kiryat Shmona Mayor Publicly Backs Netanyahu After Criticizing Government
Translated & summarized from TheMarker by baba
Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern publicly endorsed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, thanking him for development projects in the city. Stern previously criticized the government's response to the war, highlighting the significant population decline in Kiryat Shmona due to security concerns. He was also denied a chance to speak at a Knesset committee meeting about war compensation, which he called a sign of disconnect. Stern believes residents will show their gratitude at the ballot box.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Kiryat Shmona Mayor Avichai Stern publicly endorsed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- Stern thanked Netanyahu for approving new neighborhoods, a railway, and a university for Kiryat Shmona.
- The mayor stated that Kiryat Shmona's population has dropped from 26,000 to 16,000 due to security concerns.
- Stern previously criticized the government's handling of the war and felt ignored by Netanyahu.
- He was denied a chance to speak at a Knesset Finance Committee meeting about war compensation.
- Stern believes Kiryat Shmona residents are wise and will show gratitude at the ballot box.
Avichai Stern, the mayor of Kiryat Shmona, has publicly declared his support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a shift from his previous criticisms of the government's handling of the ongoing conflict. Stern expressed gratitude to Netanyahu for approving new neighborhoods, a railway line, and the establishment of a university in Kiryat Shmona, stating, "This is how change is made. I believe in this, I believe in you." He added his belief that the Israeli public will understand "how to do things correctly and who to vote for" within a week.
Earlier in the day, Stern addressed the dire situation in his city, noting that its population has decreased from approximately 26,000 before the war to about 16,000 currently. He attributed the return of only 60% of residents primarily to the security situation, warning that "as long as Hezbollah stands, it is only a matter of time before we are again in another campaign."
Responding to a question about Netanyahu's visit to Kiryat Shmona just a week before elections, Stern urged against politicizing the event, emphasizing the historical significance of the university's opening. He asserted that Kiryat Shmona residents are intelligent and appreciative, not "suckers," and will express their gratitude through their votes.
However, Stern's tone during the war was markedly different. In March, with only 10,000 residents remaining in the city, he had not received any visit or even a phone call from Netanyahu. Kiryat Shmona had been under constant bombardment since the war's outset, with numerous rocket impacts and thousands of residents lacking adequate protection amidst frequent air raid sirens. Stern had vocally demanded the implementation of a government decision to evacuate residents, particularly vulnerable populations, to hotels.
Further illustrating his frustration, Stern was denied participation in a Knesset Finance Committee meeting in April that discussed compensation for the economy following the war. The committee chairman, Hanoch Milwidsky, cited time constraints, preventing Stern from presenting his city's needs via Zoom. Stern criticized this decision, stating that Knesset committee chairmen have previously allowed remote participation and that the refusal to hear from elected officials demonstrated a "disconnect" and "fear of criticism."
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