Tel Aviv Deputy Mayor Haim Goren has dismissed recent media reports about controversial synagogue contracts as unfounded, stating that initial issues were resolved in collaboration with synagogue leaders and legal advisors. He clarified that the city is required to regulate the status of synagogues on municipal land through transparent leasing procedures, as mandated by the Interior Ministry. Earlier drafts of the contracts included clauses that were unsuitable for Orthodox synagogues, but these were removed after extensive meetings and input from community representatives. Goren emphasized that the finalized contracts no longer contain the disputed elements and described the media uproar as exaggerated. He also noted that political tensions have escalated due to the coverage, with some council members now seeking to reinstate the old wording, and criticized officials who commented without verifying the facts.