Rightwing Figures to Smotrich: Set Aside Political Agenda for National Emergency

A list of prominent rightwing figures signed a declaration calling on Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich to rescind his decision to continue to use the budget set aside by the coalition for sectorial purposes, and lend a hand instead for the war effort.

A number of columnists and prominent rightwing figures called on Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich to cancel the inclusion of the Charedi education system as part of the Ofek Chadash reform and slash salaries for senior officials: “The political agenda must be set aside in favor of the national emergency.”

In a public letter, the first of its kind, senior rightwing figures are asking Finance Minister to entirely end the discretionary coalition budget and the inclusion of Charedi teachers into the Ofek Chadash reform.

The letter, signed by rightwing figures Erel Segal, Erez Tadmor. Dr. Gadi Taub, Tikvah Fund Director Amiad Cohen, Dr. Ran Baratz, Nikra’im Ladegel Chairman Brig.-Gen. (res.) Danu Van Biran, Dr. Odelia Mines, and rightwing publisher Rotem Sela, states:

“In this hour of trial, the privilege and responsibility has fallen in your lap to lead the civilian economic war. We appeal to you because we believe that the state of the war and national unity must also be reflected in the way the economic system is managed.”

“Now the government is required to take immediate emergency steps, on very large scales. One of these is the cancellation of the coalition money to the tune of 7 billion NIS, which the coalition party agreed to in times when a legitimate political agenda is not set aside for a national emergency.”

“A prominent example of a (budget) item which needs to be taken off the agenda is applying the Ofek Chadash reform to Charedi education whose cost if carried out will be more than 10 billion NIS in the coming decade. In normal times the implementation could be justified, the correction of a historic injustice. In the emergency period we’ve found ourselves in, its implementation is an injustice.”

In addition, the senior rightwing figures called for a sharp and uncompromising pay cut for senior officials in the public sector. According to them, “it’s important that the people leading the civilian front lead by personal example. Government spending should be focused solely on vital national goals: Israel’s meeting the war aims, the strength of the rear, the restoration of the settlements that were destroyed, and protection of the stability of the Israeli economy.”