Jerusalem’s Mayor Nir Barkat met with hareidi-religious representatives at the municipality Thursday night. The mayor suggested forming a forum for airing the issues to prevent conflicts in the future. In addition, Barkat clarified that the Carta Parking Lot will not be closed on the Sabbath, as he doesn’t see its opening as a breach of the status quo balancing religious and secular residents’ interests.

The three-hour meeting between Barkat and a representative from the religious Eida Hareidit organization continued past midnight Friday at Barkat’s residence. However, no agreement was reached. The United Torah Judaism Party sent a sharp letter to Barkat criticizing his opening the municipal parking lot on the Sabbath.