PM Netanyahu and Prime Minister Gantz to Meet in the Afternoon to Discuss the Outline for a One-Year Budget Transfer

First publication: Compromise on the issue of the budget transfer, which is in dispute between the Likud and the blue and white and even threatened the coalition's integrity. In the past two days, there has been talk between the parties and the apparent compromise is that the budget to be passed will be a one-year budget, and the burning issues related to the Corona casualties, such as business compensation, unemployed assistance, work plans and the like, are planned for the longer term. At 16:30, a meeting will be held between Netanyahu and Gantz.

PM Netanyahu's Statement on the New Restrictions on Gatherings // Photo: GPO

The coalition agreement states that the government will pass a biennial budget, but professionals including the head of the Treasury's budget department, the Accountant General and the Governor, believe that in the current period, with a global economic crisis and economic uncertainty, it is better to approve a one-year budget. Netanyahu supports their position, except that blue-and-white people suspected that Netanyahu would take advantage of the controversy and inability to pass a budget to run for further elections, and thwart the possibility that Gantz would serve as acting prime minister.

With the rise of the second wave, there is an understanding on both sides that there is no way to go for elections, and so in recent days, parties on both sides are sitting to reach consensus.

Following the publication in "Israel Today", the Prime Minister's Office said that "this morning there is an economic discussion attended by former Governor of the Bank of Israel Prof. Stanley Fischer, Governor of the Bank of Israel Prof. Amir Yaron, Deputy Director General of the Prime Minister Ronen Peretz, Prof. Zvi Eckstein, Prof. Uri Hafetz and other factors. Later today, Prime Minister Netanyahu will hold further economic consultations. "

More on:

• Gantz on Netanyahu's Budget Crisis: "Going to Elections at This Time - Irresponsible"

• "Budget dispute - not political exercise"

• Another dramatic week in the coalition: budget battles on the agenda

On Sunday, Prime Minister's close associates made public statements expressing fears of blue-and-white that this was an exercise that would lead to elections. Sources around him said: "It is true that we signed the coalition agreement on a two-year budget transfer, but it was written in March-April. Things have happened since then and the best economists and experts in the world say it is unclear where the economy is going, and it is impossible to find one expert who says it is right to go for a two-year budget."

According to the PM, "This is not a political exercise. White and white have nothing to fear. The prime minister does not want elections. He understands the situation more than anyone else understands, there will be no elections."