Zelekha Unveils Economic Plan, Demands Finance Ministry Portfolio
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Professor Yaron Zelekha, head of the Reservists and Economics Party, unveiled an economic plan featuring VAT reduction to 12%, customs abolition, and coalition fund elimination. He stated his party would only join a "Zionist government" that enforces universal conscription and appoints him Finance Minister. Zelekha also launched a strong critique of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of selling the economy to monopolies and promising to reverse this if elected. The plan includes infrastructure projects and tax reforms, with Zelekha vowing to hold tycoons accountable.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Yaron Zelekha presented an economic plan including VAT reduction to 12% and customs abolition.
- Zelekha's party will only join a "Zionist government" that ensures universal conscription and gives him the Finance Ministry.
- He sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of "selling the economy to monopolies."
- The plan proposes private sector involvement in major infrastructure projects like high-speed rail and a new airport.
- Zelekha vowed to hold "tycoons, banks, monopolies, and the corrupt" accountable if he becomes Finance Minister.
- He challenged Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Naftali Bennett to an economic debate.
Professor Yaron Zelekha, chairman of the Reservists and Economics Party, presented his party's economic plan on Thursday, outlining a series of reforms aimed at reducing the cost of living, lowering taxes, and increasing market competition. The plan includes a gradual reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) to 12%, the cancellation of customs duties and quotas, and the dismantling of coalition funding. Zelekha also proposed breaking up production councils in the dairy, honey, and egg sectors, prohibiting exclusive agreements between international producers and local importers, and transferring the Competition Authority to the Ministry of Finance.
During a press conference, Zelekha sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that Netanyahu attacks him because he knows that if Zelekha were finance minister, the public would realize prices could have been lower over the past two decades. Zelekha asserted that Netanyahu has "sold the economy to monopolies and extortionists" and vowed to reclaim it, framing the choice as "capital rule or your children."
Further proposals include re-enacting a ban on excessive pricing by monopolies, canceling the "trapped profits" law and the excess profits tax, and gradually reducing income tax to a maximum of 40%. Zelekha also presented a plan for private sector involvement in major infrastructure projects, such as a new airport in Hatzor, high-speed rail to Kiryat Shmona and Eilat, two new hospitals, and the metro project. He also suggested establishing a new bank and implementing a 2012 auto industry reform.
Regarding the state budget, Zelekha proposed freezing budgeted pensions for current civil servants, eliminating coalition funds, significantly reducing benefits for draft dodgers, and re-examining government contracts awarded without tenders. He challenged Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Naftali Bennett to an economic debate, claiming politicians funded by tycoons cannot genuinely fight the high cost of living.
Zelekha clarified that his party will only join a "Zionist government" that implements universal conscription and grants him the Finance Ministry portfolio. He stated they would not provide a majority for a "draft-dodging government" led by Netanyahu or a government led by Gideon Eisenkot with Arab parties. He concluded by promising to end the "blocs concept" which he claims costs Israelis NIS 30,000 annually, and declared his first day as finance minister would be "the day of judgment for tycoons, banks, monopolies, and the corrupt."
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