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Minister of Finance (Yesh Atid) Yair Lapid’s pre-Pesach video in which he compares himself to Moshe Rabbeinu is making the rounds. Lapid explains that “just like Moshe Rabbanei made the correct decisions, unpopular as they may have been, he too will make the correct decisions, difficult as they will be”.
Lapid must implement drastic cuts to get the nation back on track. According to a Yediot Achronot report, cuts planned by Lapid include;
1. 5.5 billion NIS will be cut from monthly child and other government allowances.
2. The elimination of Eilat as a value added tax free zone to raise 650 million NIS.
3. Adding value added tax to fruits & vegetables to raise 2.5 billion in revenue.
4. Raising value added tax by 1% to 18%.
5. Eliminating the exemption from income tax for homeowners in periphery areas towards generating 1 billion NIS.
6. Partial elimination of income tax exemption on property rentals towards raising 1 billion NIS.
7. The elimination of salary increases and perks for civil service employees to raise 3 billion NIS.
8. Increasing income tax by 1% for those earning over 14,000 NIS ($3,825 based on erev Pesach Bank of Israel rate) monthly to generate 2 billion NIS.
9. Cutting yeshiva funding to raise 1 billion NIS.
10. Eliminating the tax exemption of קרנות ההשתלמות savings funds, towards raising an addition 4 billion NIS.
In addition, Lapid plans to bring 50,000 chareidim and Arabs into the national workforce, explaining that after assuming his post he learned over 50% of chareidi men don’t work and a large percentage of Arab women are unemployed. He understands many of these unemployed individuals are capable but they are not seeking employment. His vision enjoys the support of Bank of Israel Governor Prof. Stanley Fischer, who in the past cited he views the high unemployment in these sectors are major issues that must be addressed in order to get the national economy back on track.
The treasury is preparing to announce vocational training courses to provide unemployed adults with the skills needed to enter the workforce. Lapid views this as a win/win, for it will permit many to begin earning their own way and permit the national government to cut Bituach Leumi benefits for the unemployed.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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6 Responses
Unlike American conservatives, he favors massive tax increases.
That’s hardly an incentive or stimulus to the private sector. His cuts in government programming are focused not on the “crony capitalism” that dominates Israel, but are primarily part of a program of persecuting minorities he disapproves of (such as Hareidim).
He is upset over low “labor force participation” by Arabs and Hareidim, yet he supports laws that in fact criminalize employment by Hareidim who are refusing to serve in the army, and he supports discrimination against Hareidim and Arabs in the workplace. Indeed, much of what in America is considered “reasonable accomodation” is considered “religious coercion” in Israel.
What happened to Sharon will happen to Lapid.
You don’t start up with the Torah.
3. Adding value added tax to fruits & vegetables to raise 2.5 billion in revenue. He is plain crazy. This is basic food substances in Eretz Yisrael It is another way to get at the Charedi that sit and learn, since they don’t have the money for meat and eat vegetables, fruit and bread
9. Cutting yeshiva funding to raise 1 billion NIS. He might think he is smart but Hashem will haunt him for this big error.
#2- You mean Lapid is a secret tsaddik who will receive all his punishments in this world????????
Or do you mean that his political views will be rejected?
Besmart- The Torah and Chazal also does not state that one needs to learn Torah all day and be supported by others. In fact they called that situation a “Hillul Hashem”.
THIS WORLD NEEDS MORE TORAH LEARNING # 5