Finance minister Lieberman : Some Ultra Orthodox at 18 don't know the multiplication table

The Minister of Finance, Avigdor Lieberman, rejected the harsh criticism leveled at him for his decision to introduce a criterion of exhausting earning capacity to subsidize day care centers as early as September - a move that will lead to the cessation of subsidies for 18,000 ultra-Orthodox families.
"We did not invent the wheel," Lieberman told reporters at a special briefing with senior officials of his office ahead of the 2022-2021 budget. "I heard all the cries of the robbed Cossack. But we have done it twice already. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also did it in 2003 and in 2013. We saw that it jumped employment by 70% the following year. These are moves. Who have proven themselves and there is accumulated experience. "
Lieberman attacked the ultra-Orthodox Knesset members who often attacked him for his decision. "Those who harm the ultra-Orthodox sector are the Knesset members of Shas and Torah Judaism. They want to leave the entire ultra-Orthodox public without a livelihood, whose whole life will depend on alms and support. The strongest opposition of Shas and Torah Judaism is to core studies. Because an 18-year-old who has never studied mathematics, English and computers, has only one track to include without any other option. Some at 18 do not know the multiplication table. This is the most sacred thing for them. "Prevent them from getting an education. Our goal is to get the ultra-Orthodox sector out of poverty."
Lieberman reiterated his statements that he would not raise taxes or make cuts in the short term, even though he intends to increase spending on various items such as extending the duration of compulsory service in the IDF. "The extra budget - mainly from growth," According to the plan we presented with the prime minister, regulation should bring in about NIS 7.5 billion a year. If we maintain 5% growth a year, it will definitely be an extraordinary achievement. "
Lieberman and senior officials of his office declined to specify the target of the budget deficit for the coming year. "There will be a downward trajectory of a deficit for several years. We will regain control of the budget and the economy. It will not be responsible to present a target now when we get back to a 60% debt-to-GDP ratio," said Finance Ministry chief executive Ram Balnikov. Of 7.1% in 2021 is a "not too optimistic" forecast.
Upon taking office, Lieberman stated that he intends to promote a package deal in the economy. However, Blnikov said today that at this stage it is not known whether it will be possible to reach such a package deal, among other things in light of the Histadrut's demands to raise the minimum wage to NIS 6,000 a month. "We want to reach a package deal and there is dialogue. The talks are in progress. We will only reach such a deal if it is financial. This is not a take-and-take situation. There are some issues in the employment relationship that need to be sorted out. I do not know for sure when and how it will end. Reach it in the coming weeks. "
Lieberman did not present the possibility that the ministry would initiate cuts in public sector spending without an agreement with the Histadrut. He presented the change in the field of vocational training in which the training department at the Treasury was abolished, which had only five portfolios, but did not present further moves to cut spending in the public sector.
Lieberman said his goal is "to bring the Treasury back to normal. The last budget was approved somewhere in March 2018. Preparing a budget and leading reforms is the Treasury's normal occupation. It was important to harness the professional echelon."
Regarding the proposal to impose a congestion charge on entering city centers during rush hours, Lieberman said the issue is at the doorstep of the Department of Transportation. "If the Ministry of Transportation supports congestion tax we will support. If not - we will not support. I do not come to be an imperialist, to replace all ministries. I also accept the way Minister of Religions Matan Kahana in the Ministry of Religions wants to Private to establish kosher bodies and other private initiatives. '
Lieberman presented the timetable for approving the budget for 2021 and 2022 - approval of the budget by the government in early August, approval in the first reading in the Knesset in early September and approval of the final budget in November. Lieberman estimated that in the coming weeks additional issues will enter the budget.
Regarding the outline for raising the retirement age for women, Lieberman said that he supports the gradual outline for raising the retirement age and that it will be included in the Arrangements Law. 'Obviously something reasonable needs to be conveyed. "I believe in evolution, it works better," Lieberman said.
Lieberman also referred to the price increases in the real estate field, Lieberman said that "the housing crisis comes from two main reasons - there is not enough land for construction. This is the main reason. The second reason there is a lot of cheap money. In recent months there has been an all-time record in mortgages. Must be released to the land market. Any attempt to lower the price of real estate will not work. The solution is just to increase supply. '
In this context, Finance Director General Ram Belnikov said that we want to exceed the number written in the coalition agreement of 300,000 construction starts in the next five years. The goal is to cross it. ' Blnikov declined to say he would work to lower the price, saying that "we want to strike a balance between supply and demand and close the stock deficit. It would not be serious to set a price target. '
Lieberman justified his decision to extend compulsory service in the IDF in violation of previous agreements. The autopilot security system must deal with threats. The threats not only do not go down but go up. "
The Ministry of Finance has not yet formulated a position on how to open the upcoming school year and whether capsules will be needed for students, given their cost. The acting head of the budget department said that "we are still analyzing whether the previous capsules have proven themselves".