The mayor of Tel Aviv, who recently announced his candidacy for the Knesset, decided to fire his deputy, Tzipi Brand, and deprive her of her powers as deputy mayor. Tzipi Brand was number 2 on the list of Assaf Zamir, who resigned after the election following the loss to Huldai.
A senior municipal official told Maariv that “the paid deputies are reserved for the majority of the city and it will decide on its continuation, and who will serve on its behalf as the second paid deputy.” In a letter sent by Huldai to Brand, he wrote: “Unfortunately, for a long time now you have been acting – time after time after time – on your own and with blatant disregard of the positions of municipal professional factors and guidelines. As a political figure you are of course allowed to engage in any issue you want. You choose to be a partner in the coalition and you are granted status by virtue of it – your duty to act in coordination, cooperation and out of commitment to the decisions of the municipal administration. ”
Huldai went on to attack Brand: “Moreover, this status places a responsibility on the public, but you unfortunately prefer populist measures over considered moves. I restrained a long and continuous line on actions and expressions in this spirit out of a sense of commitment to the other members of your faction. “As a result of all this, my trust has been damaged and I have reached a point where I do not feel it is publicly right to continue to allow you to hold on to the powers I have given you.”
“Therefore,” said Ron Huldai, “I am very sorry that all my attempts to improve the quality of our cooperation have failed – I hereby deny all your powers, and this is valid from today.”
Brand responded to the dismissal by Huldai and wrote on her Facebook page: “Huldai, a certified pilot, put the Tel Aviv municipality on autopilot and left. On the way out he fired me, in an unexpected letter by email, making sure the cockpit remained empty and no one missed. I am proud To be fired because I stood by my principles and fought for you. During the last crisis, I struggled to bring vaccines to early childhood teachers and keep kindergartens open. In a city where bleeding is closed. “
“I stood in the front line with the residents in the streets in front of the police defending the city as a fortress of democracy. The man who currently treats Tel Aviv as a temporary gig for work, and engaged in national politics is probably afraid of someone who spends all her time on the well-being of the residents.” Where the city is located, the gardens are not open on Fridays, the municipality charges fees and charges from businesses that are closed.
I promise to continue to fight for our principles in Tel Aviv – without fear of any politician. The city and its residents are in a challenging period, the cockpit will not be left empty and we will not allow Tel Aviv-Yafo to lose height. In the coming days I will announce the continuation of my steps, in the meantime I am going to sleep proudly on my way and proud that I fought and I will fight for you, “Brand wrote.