On video: The government approved the state budget for 2024 15.01.2024/Video (upload): Omer Miron / L.A.M., Sound: Ben Peretz / L.A.M.
"When we entered the government, we defined the partnership for the period of the war and did not stand with a stopwatch in hand. What is at the forefront of the public's mind is that Israel will win the war, the results of which will determine the country's status in the region and in the world for a very long time," says Minister Gideon Sa'ar.
According to Sa'ar, "Netanyahu bears the main responsibility for the failure in Gaza, but this is not the time to go to the elections. At this point, I give priority to the war against the enemies over the renewal of the Jewish wars. At the moment, it would be a mistake to dissolve the emergency government, but if I come to the conclusion that the government is not going in the right direction, I will reconsider my opinion ".
Sa'ar, who previously served as Minister of Justice, Minister of the Interior, and Minister of Education, adds that "there is still fighting in Gaza and I am of the opinion that we should apply as much military pressure as possible and not stop. To consider retiring from the government and renewing the internal political war would not be right."
In response to the question of whether there is a possibility of changing the composition of the government through a vote of constructive no confidence, Sa'ar replied that "in my estimation, the chances of that tend to be zero and I am also well aware of the internal politics in Likud. But I am not involved in politics at this time and have no interest in commenting on it."
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"It was right to set a personal example such as the salary cut for those with the highest salaries in the public sector"/Knesset Channel, Dani Shem Tov
Sa'ar also said that "There is no doubt that Netanyahu bears the main responsibility for the events of Black Saturday. This should be examined by a state commission of inquiry that will determine the degree of responsibility and the lessons learned. There was a multidimensional political, operational and intelligence failure here.
"I do not want to give Netanyahu advice on whether resign.
But the fact is that today we are in a situation where everyone who was on duty on October 7, from Bibi to the Minister of Defense, Chief of Staff Rosh Aman and the head of the Shin Bet - did not resign, but that does not mean that they do not bear responsibility."
He elaborates on the 2024 budget: "I voted Against because it is a bad budget.
When the people are expected to mobilize in a period of economic emergency to reduce the deficit, the government must set a personal example, and this did not happen."
On the question of what he would have done differently regarding the budget, he expands: "On the revenue side, we should have released the 'trapped profits' held by the government companies and raised NIS 20 billion in dividend distribution through favorable taxation conditions.
"It would have been correct to set a personal example such as the salary cut for those with the highest salaries in the public sector. It was possible to freeze salaries in the public sector and receive NIS 1.5 billion. If the government had closed unnecessary offices and reduced coalition funds, it would have been possible to harness the public and the Histadrut. But the Prime Minister apparently decided that the situation is not difficult enough."
More on the same topic:
Gideon Saar
the government
Benjamin Netanyahu
State Commission of Inquiry
Unity government
Elections
War of Iron Swords
Gaza war