Yehoshua Matza 20 years on the Jerusalem City Council, 10 of which were in the capacity of deputy mayor. The Matza family first arrived in Palestine from Ioannina in Greece, and settled in the Jewish Quarter in Jerusalem's walled Old City. Matza was born in the city during the British Mandate era. Influenced by his family's attitude, Matza joined the Jewish underground group Lehi at age 14. Of his three brothers, two were also active in the Jewish underground; one in the Haganah and the other in the Irgun. His Lehi activities included posting anti-British flyers during the night, participating in paramilitary
Yehoshua Matza the establishment of gardens and parks throughout the city. In 1978, by which time Herut had merged into Likud, Jerusalem held municipal elections based on voting for a candidate as opposed to the traditional method of voting for a party slate. Matza ran for city mayor, but lost to the incumbent, Teddy Kollek. Prior to the 1984 Knesset elections Matza was placed on Likud's list. When the party won 41 seats, Matza took his place in the Knesset. He sat on the influential Finance Committee until 1988, when he retained his seat in elections that year. Re-elected in 1992 and