Yaron Zelekha Rules Out Supporting Netanyahu or Eisenkot Governments
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Professor Yaron Zelekha announced his party will not support a government led by Benjamin Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot, setting conditions of universal conscription and the Finance Ministry. He presented an economic plan including tax cuts, infrastructure projects, and budget reforms. Zelekha criticized current economic policies and invited rivals to a debate, framing the upcoming election as a choice between economic elites and the public's future.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Yaron Zelekha's party will not support governments led by Benjamin Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot.
- Zelekha demands the Finance Ministry and universal conscription to join any future government.
- His economic plan proposes tax cuts, infrastructure development, and deregulation.
- He criticized coalition funds and benefits for non-conscripts, promising budget reforms.
- Zelekha challenged Bezalel Smotrich and Naftali Bennett to an economic debate.
Professor Yaron Zelekha, chairman of the Reservists and Economic Party, declared on Thursday that his party will not provide the necessary support to form a government led by Benjamin Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot. Zelekha stated during a press conference presenting his party's economic plan that they would only join a "Zionist government" that implements universal conscription and grants him the Finance Ministry portfolio. He specifically ruled out supporting Netanyahu's "draft-dodging government" or an Eisenkot government relying on Arab parties.
Zelekha outlined two primary conditions for joining the next government: advancing universal conscription and securing the Finance Ministry. He also criticized the political division into blocs, claiming it costs the public 30,000 shekels annually and promised to end this practice. Zelekha directly attacked Prime Minister Netanyahu, suggesting that if he were Finance Minister, the public would realize costs could have been lower over the past two decades, accusing Netanyahu of selling the economy to monopolies and extortionists.
His economic plan includes abolishing all import tariffs and quotas, dismantling dairy, honey, and egg production councils, and limiting the power of monopolies and exclusive importers. Zelekha also pledged to cancel the "locked profits" law and the excess profits tax, gradually reduce VAT to 12%, and lower the top income tax rate to 40%. Additionally, he proposed building high-speed rail to Kiryat Shmona and Eilat, constructing two new hospitals in the north and south, establishing a new bank, and changing the execution method for major infrastructure projects.
Regarding the state budget, Zelekha committed to canceling coalition funds, freezing defined-benefit pensions for current civil servants, and significantly reducing benefits for those not drafted. He also invited Bezalel Smotrich and Naftali Bennett to an economic debate, asserting that those dependent on campaign financiers cannot effectively lower the cost of living. Zelekha concluded by stating his first day as Finance Minister would mark a "day of judgment" for tycoons, banks, monopolies, and the corrupt, framing the choice as between "capital rule" and "your children."
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