Hatzor HaGlilit Council Head Quits Likud Citing Neglect and Budget Exclusion

Michael Kabsa, head of the Hatzor HaGlilit local council in northern Israel, announced on Monday that he is leaving the Likud party. Kabsa stated that although Likud had been his political home for years, his primary loyalty is to his community rather than any party. He emphasized his refusal to accept the ongoing neglect of Hatzor HaGlilit, a town located just 11 kilometers from the Lebanese border.

Kabsa criticized the government for excluding Hatzor HaGlilit from northern development budgets, despite the town facing nearly three years of continuous security threats, including sirens, rocket falls, and severe economic damage. He highlighted that while seven government decisions allocated 22 billion shekels to various northern areas and populations, including the Golan Heights and border communities, Hatzor HaGlilit received no funding.

He accused the government of deliberately sidelining his town by repeatedly changing criteria for aid distribution, calling it a targeted policy rather than an error. Kabsa declared his loyalty to Likud ended when the party ceased to support his community. He vowed to continue fighting for Hatzor HaGlilit, stating that no child from his town should be considered less deserving than others nearby. Kabsa concluded by saying, "There are 22 billion reasons to leave Likud."

Summary: Michael Kabsa, head of Hatzor HaGlilit council, leaves Likud over government neglect and exclusion from a 22 billion shekel northern budget, citing ongoing security threats and economic harm to his town near the Lebanese border.

Points: - Michael Kabsa resigns from Likud, citing neglect of Hatzor HaGlilit. - Hatzor HaGlilit faces ongoing security threats near Lebanon without government protection. - Government allocated 22 billion shekels to northern areas but excluded Hatzor HaGlilit. - Kabsa accuses government of deliberate policy to sideline his town. - He vows to continue fighting for his community despite leaving Likud.

Topic: politics

Entities: {"people": ["Michael Kabsa"], "organizations": ["Likud"], "places": ["Hatzor HaGlilit", "Lebanon", "Golan Heights", "Kiryat Shmona"]}