Confrontation: Finance Minister Katz sharply criticized the closure policy led by P.M Netanyahu

Confrontation within the Likud at the top of the government: Finance Minister Israel Katz sharply criticized the closure policy led by the Ministry of Health with the support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In internal finance ministry discussions on formulating an economic assistance program for the self-employed and unemployed, the minister said: "I will not let millions of people sink into despair and disgrace from hunger because of wrong decisions by the Ministry of Health to close the economy indiscriminately and without any health justification."
In response, the Netanyahu bureau said it would not succumb to pressure from within or outside the government "from those who are trying to garner votes at the expense of public health."
According to Minister Katz, "Instead of enforcing places that are contagious, workplaces that do not receive an audience and have no contagion are closed. It is not possible to allow a gathering of up to 10 people, but prohibit the opening of businesses for up to 10 employees. No one accepts it."
Katz noted that "alongside the struggle to open up the economy and small businesses, I will make sure that people have something to live on in the meantime - and that is the goal of the program. We gave a negative income tax recipient, the lowest paid workers, and now the low-wage unemployed. And they have no employment alternative. "
In response, Netanyahu's office said: "The prime minister is adamant about the necessity of a closure at this time, when everyone sees that he is committed to reality and gives first results. Netanyahu has not succumbed to pressure from within or outside the government from those trying to garner votes at public expense. When the public is healthier. "
Katz's statement actually renews the battle for the budget. The Minister of Strategic Affairs and the leader of the budget on behalf of Blue and White, Orit Farkash HaCohen, commented on Katz's position regarding the order, but stung him on the issue of the state budget. She wrote on her Twitter that "the Minister of Finance is right. Life must be returned to the business market soon. But Israel - it is time to submit to the Israeli government a 2020/21 budget plan that reaches us all. No less critical for millions of Israeli citizens."
White Brush said: "Netanyahu's direct attack on blue and white over the unequivocal demand to approve the state budget for 2021 expresses a deep and very worrying panic about the ability to withstand the pressure of the polls and the failure of his and his associates' personal example in maintaining public health. Blue and White will continue to stand on budget approval for 2021. All attempts to sabotage and harm Israeli citizens will lead to a re-examination of a variety of political options that we have so far avoided. "
The Likud responded: "Prime Minister Netanyahu has a long and proven track record in economic decisions that have brought Israel to record highs. The prime minister has brought more successful state budgets than any other world leader. "In the midst of the Corona crisis because of Pike, one poll. Three polls in the last 24 hours show that the Likud is maintaining its power. Meanwhile, blue and white are crashing in all polls."
Following the confrontation, Minister of Economy and Industry Amir Peretz announced: "I support the position of the Minister of Finance to accelerate the opening of the economy and increase grants."