In his address to a Globes economic conference, MK Moshe Gafne, now serving as chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee, spoke out harshly against former Finance Minister Yair Lapid.

Gafne explained work has begun on the state budget and the government will be operating without a budget until November. Gafne explained the significance of this reality, adding “since in essence government bureaucrats are running the country and this is not the way to run a nation”.

Gafne explains the period that the nation is entering will not be a simple one regarding the economy, hoping a biennial state budget will be ready in November. He quickly added that he opposes a biennial budget.

He emphasized the economy remains strong and in the last global economic crisis, while banks in the United States collapse many feared the same would occur here in Israel but this was not the case. He reminded the audience that then Finance Minister Dr. Yuval Steinitz insisted a major cut was required, and he opposed the move explaining that it would be good in Israel “because there is HKBH who does good for us”. He explained that despite “ominous predictions,” the opposite was in fact true and the economy improved prospered as unemployment declined as is seen in the repeated credit ratings from the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development).

After assuming his old post heading the finance committee, Gafne spoke of the troublesome picture that exists today, suggesting he is going to look into state regulators to see if they can be combined into one agency. At present there is a regulator for the banks, stock market and capital markets.

He blames the previous administration for halting the economic boom, citing Lapid’s zero VAT plan to boost housing sales and make apartments more affordable had an adverse effect. He boasted “A small opposition prevented the passage of that bill”, which he explains would have been catastrophic for the economy. “That coalition finally fell as Prime Minister Netanyahu realized he is not compelled to carry out everything Yair Lapid demands of him” Gafne added.

Gafne continued speaking of the zero VAT bill and how “all of the experts opposed it” and today the price is being paid as they work to revitalize the building industry and lower housing costs.

He concluded “As chairman of the finance committee I am embarrassed over the housing crisis. Too many families are unable to get their own apartment and governments have all failed in this area. The cause is the problem is not going to be solved from one moment to another, as housing is a process which one may begin, even advancing it, but the solution will only arrive under the tenure of others. I spoke with [Finance Minister Moshe] Kahlon and with the prime minister and we now intend to solve the housing crisis”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)