Ex-Budget Chief Criticizes Israeli Government Policies

Shaul Meridor, former head of the Budget Department and a candidate for the "Yashar!" party, has sharply criticized the current Israeli government's policies in a podcast interview. Meridor warned that annexing Judea and Samaria would "shatter the amazing Zionist enterprise we built here," leading to heavy economic and security burdens and international isolation.

He stated that his party supports settlement but only if it is legal and serves Israel's national interest. Meridor also clarified that while "Yashar!" currently opposes a Palestinian state, it will not manage the civilian lives of millions of Palestinians.

Turning to economic matters, Meridor attacked Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's policies, arguing that recent positive economic data is merely a preliminary recovery from a sharp decline, with Israeli citizens paying heavily in interest on national debt. He proposed that the Prime Minister and Defense Minister should have secured government approval to transfer funds from coalition budgets to the defense system.

Meridor expressed regret for a past policy of the Budget Department that exempted Haredim from military service in favor of employment, warning that this now creates two separate economies, one of those who serve and one of those who evade service. He vowed that his party would advance a universal service law and would not join a coalition with Haredi parties opposing it.

Regarding the youth housing crisis, Meridor stressed the need for long-term rental solutions and discounted tenders for reservists, alongside streamlining planning bureaucracy. He believes these measures could enable young people to afford housing within one to two years.

Finally, Meridor voiced full confidence in the Supreme Court's ability to disqualify candidates and dismissed the death penalty law as a populist measure. He criticized Prime Minister Netanyahu's handling of Israel's international standing and defended Gadi Eisenkot against Likud attacks, calling him "a person of values, a Zionist, honest, a security expert."