BICOM

Israel’s Finance Minister Yair Lapid outlined some of his budgetary plans yesterday and vowed to go to “war” in order to implement them.

Speaking last night at a conference organised by the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, Lapid said that he would “fight for the working man” who for years “just pays the bills” on behalf of the country. Among the proposed changes are cuts to ultra-Orthodox schools which do not teach a core curriculum and plans to limit child care and municipal tax subsidies to families in which both parents work. Lapid also said that “Contrary to all the stories the defence establishment is showing openness and understanding” over proposed defence cuts.

Lapid also announced his intention to tackle additional issues including high water prices, high day care costs and narrow interests controlling ports and other public services. He warned that “there will be war over several of the things I’ve outlined here, perhaps over all of them. I say, ‘Let there be war.’” Arguing that budgetary priorities must be redefined, Lapid commented, “We have no choice. We cannot simply cruise on autopilot every year.”

Earlier yesterday, Bank of Israel governor Stanley Fischer praised Lapid’s recent decision not to increase the current deficit limit of 3 per cent, saying “I commend this bold decision, which is essential for the stability and prosperity of the Israeli economy.”

Lapid’s plans have been criticised by United Torah Judaism MK Moshe Gafni, who accused the Finance Minister of “media spin,” saying, “instead of talking about budget cuts he talked about ultra-Orthodox Jews.” Earlier this week, Lapid took aim at ultra-Orthodox MKs from the Knesset podium saying “You aren’t registered as the rightful owners of the government.” Meanwhile, Meretz head Zahava Galon said Lapid is ignoring society’s “ever-growing inequality.”