Finance Minister Lieberman: Within 2 weeks we will present a safety net for the self-employed

The Knesset's Economics Committee on Tuesday discussed the severe damage to the self-employed during the Omicron wave, with the Ministry of Finance refusing to approve a compensation plan for the self-employed at this stage. The meeting is also attended by Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman. He said, "Within two weeks we will agree on a safety net for the self-employed. It will probably also involve changes in legislation. We do not intend to abandon anyone. Anyone who needs assistance will receive assistance."
The finance minister explained that on February 25, after the business reporting on revenues is completed, there will be certainty about the situation in January. "We will act accordingly. We will have all the data on self-employed income and on that basis we will formulate the solution," Lieberman said.
He rejected the criticism of the policy towards the ultra-Orthodox sector. "We really want to help the ultra-Orthodox, unlike the MKs from Shas and Torah Judaism who want to keep them in poverty. If they do not learn math, English and computers, they will not be able to advance in life."
Lieberman argued that it was government policy that led to an increase in state revenues. "We have achieved success by changing policy from end to end. We have increased the cake. It is impossible to constantly distribute the same money," he said. He presented the budget additions in the current government to the weaker sections, including the disabled, increased income supplement for the elderly and additional payments that he says amount to more than NIS 5 billion in the budget base.
Representatives of the independents sharply criticized the government at the hearing. Aviram Alon, CEO of the Association of Halls and Event Gardens, said that “from March 2020 we are experiencing a very significant crisis. We entered the fifth wave weak and without oxygen. Our diaries are empty. The owner of a hall in Netanya had 17 events canceled in February. There is also no horizon, people do not invite business events. "
Alon accused the government of pursuing a de facto closure even though there was no declaration of closure. "The state has advised the public not to hold events. It is absurd that a ballroom can not convene without a green mark like in sports halls. It prevents us from activity. We have high expenses. We are a whole industry - photographers, DJs, illustrators, and even flower growers for events. Events that tell me: 'I can not put the two girls in kindergarten, because I have no money.' What can I say to such a person? ".
Galit Peleg, chairman of the Guides Association, claimed that although the state has dedicated a budget of NIS 25 million to assist them, the money does not come and there is built-in discrimination between the guides.
"We went through wars, we went through intifadas, but there was no such period as Corona," said the independent representative, Guy Golan. "This is a serious blow, mainly to the restaurateurs but also to all the self-employed. I do not remember 40 years as such a difficult period. The restaurants are empty."
Tali Laufer, executive director of the Travel Agents Association, said in December that the prime minister called for travel abroad and then the skies closed. "Okay, but the contract between the state and the citizens is not broken. The state must compensate citizens who paid taxes. We did not receive any assistance. We had to adopt the outline of a solid cliff for those who lost their income."
For almost two hours, sharp accusations, vigorous curses and insults were heard at the hearing. All the while, Lieberman sat quietly and did not respond. MK Moshe Abutbul (Shas) accused him of shouting "murder" against ultra-Orthodox children (and was forcibly removed from the committee), the provocative MK Galit Distel Arbtian (Likud), even slapped Lieberman in the face: "You are anti-Semitic."
MK Shlomo Qarai (Likud) also attacked Lieberman: "Are you not ashamed? Take a VIP helicopter and distribute money only to those who did not need to receive. You caused a spin of price increases. It is an inflated government full of jobs. "
The Ministry of Finance's plan to increase employment in the ultra-Orthodox sector through cuts in benefits to the sector also came up. "What are the children to blame for living a hungry life? You are creating incitement against entire populations in the best tradition of haters of Israel. The ultra-Orthodox are to blame for the high cost of living?" Said MK Uri Maklev (Torah Judaism).
The coalition also criticized the conduct of the government, which has so far chosen not to present a compensation plan for the self-employed. MK Eitan Ginzburg (Blue and White) said "important economic measures have been taken", but admitted that immediate assistance is needed. "The situation in Macro is good, but there are people on the edge, usually self-employed, who are injured and need assistance."
Deputy Minister Avir Kara, a representative of the Independents, admitted that participating in this debate was "uncomfortable" for him and that he was "embarrassed" in light of the government's conduct. He said, "The debate should not have taken place and should never have come. We have reached the voice of the self-employed. My employers are here. They should come to be humiliated time and time again. It is a very serious thing that we have to make sure it does not happen again. "However, everything is dwarfed by the real distress of the people here. We are crossing the line and time is possible. I ask that things happen in the next two or three days. We in the government are embarrassed by this situation."
MK Alex Kushnir (Yisrael Beiteinu), who serves as chairman of the Finance Committee, came out to defend Lieberman: "You would not make decisions without data. We must make decisions based on data because it is your money. Divide money and then ask to return the "Money is the worst thing that can happen."