Veteran Likud lawmaker criticizes government for failing to address Israel’s high cost of living
Bitan also argues that the current judicial overhaul controversy undermines the government and harms the nation
A veteran Likud lawmaker, who heads the Knesset Economic Committee, blasted his own government for failing to address Israel’s high cost of living challenge.
In addition, David Bitan argued that the current judicial overhaul controversy undermines the government and harms the nation.
Speaking to Channel 12 news, Bitan said the Netanyahu-led coalition government is “not doing the job we need it to be doing” according to its election promises.
“Unfortunately, did you see one Likud MK who was concerned with the issue of the price of milk? Not one member of the faction tweeted about it,” said Bitan.
He stressed that Netanyahu needs to display leadership skills and secure a national compromise on the divisive judicial overhaul.
“Netanyahu needs to show leadership. He needs to say: ‘There will only be a compromise reform.’
Bitan concluded that Netanyahu needs to assert his control over the increasingly divided Likud party.
“Netanyahu is the leader of Likud, he needs to make decisions. And with all due respect, the justice minister [Yariv Levin] needs to stand with him,” stated Bitan.
During Netanyahu's long tenure as prime minister, Israel's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita soared and, in 2010, Israel joined the OECD, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, in order to help the world’s most developed economies.
However, the Netanyahu era is also characterized by a high – and growing – cost of living, particularly in regard to housing. Rapid population growth and an inadequate supply of new housing units have further exacerbated high housing costs.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
