In an urgent letter sent to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert from Shas leader Minister Eli Yishai, telling him the current proposed 2009 state budget is unacceptable and as such, the Shas Party is compelled to oppose it when presented to the cabinet on Sunday. Shas’ main objection is the planned NIS 500 million cut in monthly child allowances in addition to a NIS 200 million cut in yeshiva funding.

Also opposing the budget is Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, of Olmert’s Kadima Party, who is unwilling to accept a NIS 200 cut in the budget for the National Road Safety Association. Mofaz explains the alarming death toll on the nation’s roadways and the need to step up road improvement does not permit entertaining budget cuts.

Labor Party ministers have announced they will also oppose the budget, led by party leader Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who rejects a planned NIS 1.2 billion cut in defense spending, education and welfare budgets. Barak last week stated on a number of occasions that with the current threats facing Israel, from Hamas, Hizbullah, Iran and others, Israel cannot entertain cutting the defense budget.

The Pensioners Party is sitting on the bench, with party leader Minister Rafi Eitan uncertain how he will cast his ballot. Eitan is seeking a NIS 80 monthly increase for the nation’s elderly, but it appears he will settle for less than half of the amount and support the budget.

At present, the cabinet is split with 12 ministers expected to support the budget and 12 opposed, with two Pensioners Party ministers holding the key to the budget in their hands.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)