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World Jewish News
Three new ministries approved as PM urges 'serious' budget
03.05.2009
As Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu urged ministers to pass a "serious" budget in order to ease the financial crisis, the cabinet on Sunday approved the establishment of three new Likud-led government ministries headed, estimated to cost more than NIS 100 million.
The new ministries are: the Intelligence Ministry, headed by Dan Meridor; the Strategic Affairs Ministry, headed by Moshe Ya'alon; and the Public Diplomacy and Diaspora Ministry, headed by Yuli Edelstein.
In addition, eight new positions will be created for each of the offices of the seven ministers-without-portfolio and the three deputy ministers.
Kadima was quick to attack the decision, saying in a statement that the government was "setting new records of audacity and thoughtlessness."
"The government of ministers-for-nothing is today adding to its ranks hundreds of nothing appointments, and does not include a single minister who can look the public in the eye," the statement said. "There has never been a more detached government here."
Meanwhile, Labor and Shas ministers criticized the bi-annual budget proposed by the Likud, as cabinet members convened to discuss the budget and Israel's response to the international financial crisis.
"If we approve a serious budget and act responsibly we will be able to get the country out of the financial crisis," Netanyahu said at the opening of the cabinet meeting.
"Today we are beginning the process of approving the national budget in the midst of a very difficult international crisis. We are feeling the crisis and will feel it even more in the future. Tens of thousands of people have been fired and thousands more fear they might be cut," Netnayahu told the ministers.
"We must do all we can to stop the unemployment and meet important needs such as defense and education. It will not be easy, it will be hard. I believe that if we pass a serious budget we will be able to get the country out of the crisis and meet additional needs," said the prime minister.
Netanyahu expressed optimism, noting that he had "no doubt that we will bring a better budget that will meet the needs of Israel's citizens."
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Ehud Barak explained that Labor supports a bigger budget and opposes the proposal presented by Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, which includes a target national deficit of six percent.
"We must increase government spending and the national deficit in order to face major challenges, both in the economy and in defense," Barak said.
Welfare Minister Isaac Herzog (Labor) reiterated that his party would oppose the current proposed budget. "The budgetary framework must be broadened in order to deal with the challenges we are facing."
Shas leader and Interior Minister Eli Yishai joined Labor's position and said his party could not back the budget as it is today. "We're expecting changes," Yishai said.
But Labor and Shas ministers were not the only ones who did not support the budget presented by Steinitz. Even Likud MK and Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar expressed concern over the harm that would be caused if the current budget were approved.
Sa'ar criticized the current proposal, although he said he believed the necessary changes would be made.
"In order to deal with the complex implications of the financial crisis we cannot support a policy that hurts the weaker classes. This is not a political matter," the education minister said. "There's no way we can cut the education budget, it would be a grave mistake. I'm sure education is a top priority for Israel's government and that that the government will not hurt the education system but will strengthen it."
Despite the opinions expressed by Labor, Shas and Likud ministers, Netanyahu remained confident the government would approve the budget.
"After many arguments we have had on this issue around this table, I have no doubt that we will agree on a good budget that will meet the needs of Israel's citizens," Netanyahu said.
Источник: JPost.com
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