Netanyahu Discusses Competition Authority Reform with Tech Entrepreneur
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with tech entrepreneur and "Shark Tank" personality Oren Dobronsky to discuss economic issues, particularly the rising cost of living. Dobronsky recently joined the Likud party at Netanyahu's invitation, initially offered a reserved spot on the party's Knesset list, but later decided to focus on a professional role in artificial intelligence within Netanyahu's team.
During their conversation, which Netanyahu shared on social media, the Prime Minister emphasized increasing competition as a means to lower prices. He spoke about opening the market to parallel imports and removing import barriers, stating that monopolies in various sectors limit consumer choices and that the government has more work to do in this area.
The discussion then turned to the Competition Authority, the body responsible for enforcing competition laws. Netanyahu criticized the difficulties in removing the current head of the authority, stating that the government's attempts to replace her have faced legal opposition. He pledged to appoint the "most suitable person" to advance his plans to combat monopolies.
Netanyahu linked the issue of appointing a new head to the cost of living, arguing that allowing more importers and easing requirements for products already meeting European and US standards would increase competition and lower prices. He cited parallel imports of the same brand, not through the official importer, as an example of how to reduce the exclusive importer's ability to set prices.
The current head of the Competition Authority is Adv. Michal Cohen. Economy Minister Nir Barkat has been seeking her removal for years, citing a crisis of confidence and the authority's performance. While the Supreme Court ruled on September 9 that the appointments committee could consider the minister's request, the process has been complicated by the inability to convene the committee during an election period. The judges stressed that dismissing an independent official requires professional justifications and a solid factual basis. Cohen continues to serve in her position.
