Lieberman should cut everything?

I could not find the original article/oped on Haaretz due to the paywall, but Hamechadesh happily recaps it for us...

A Haaretz oped says that Minister of Finance Avigdor Lieberman has not done enough with his cut of including Haredim in the subsidized price for day care and calls on Lieberman to expand his cuts to all discounts and subsidies that have been offered to Haredim (people who learn in Kollel) until now.

The oped makes a calculation taking into account the discounts and subsidies given to haredim, such as arnona discount, government support for kollel (plus additional kollel payment), discounts for schools, discounts for dormitories and for various forms of day care and afternoon care, minimal payments to Bituach Leumi, rental assistance, and maybe more to an average of 5000nis per family per month. 

I have no idea if this is accurate or not (Hamechadesh says it is not, but it does not offer a more accurate estimate).

So the oped says Lieberman got off to a good start but didn't do nearly enough and must cut all this out, basically giving the Haredim nothing (at least those who learn in kollel) - including the additional kollel stipend not paid by the government. I am not quite sure how Strasler, the author of the oped, expects that to be cut considering the government doesnt pay for it, but ok.

So first of all, slow down and give him a chance. We all know Lieberman is likely to make some more cuts to at least some of these programs. He has only been in office a very short time. Strasler seems to be getting overly excited at the opportunity to cut Haredi funding. Take a breath and be patient.

Second, at least some of that is welfare and will almost definitely continue no matter what. Of course that is unless welfare support in general is cut - the fact is they are on a low socio-economic level and will qualify for welfare. Health care and Bituach Leumi are paid minimally by all students and anybody not working. I highly doubt that will be changed, even by Lieberman.

the demand seems laughable, if not simply impatient. Lieberman will surely cut some more, but even he will probably not cut everything completely. 

------------------------------------------------------
Reach thousands of readers with your ad by advertising on Life in Israel

------------------------------------------------------