A day after MK Jida Rinawi Zoabi announced her intention to return to voting with the coalition, a storm arose today (Monday) in a discussion in the Finance Committee due to Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman's request to make changes to the state budget - and transfer NIS 1.6 billion to construction in Arab communities.
The storm took place after its chairman, MK Alex Kushnir (Yisrael Beiteinu), could hold a discussion lasting less than half an hour regarding the transfer of about a billion shekels to Arab society. To get an opinion on the matter, Kushnir was forced to cancel the vote.
Earlier, the two, along with MKs Bezalel Smutrich (Religious Zionism) and Yoav Kish (Likud), were furious with Kushnir, claiming that he did not ask questions during the debate.
According to opposition sources, these are sums that Zoabi demanded be transferred now, as part of the negotiations that are being held with her in order to get her to vote with the government.
Minister of Finance Avigdor Lieberman (Archive) // Photo: Mark Israel Salem,
Lieberman's proposal includes a commitment to transfer NIS 88 million for the promotion of new construction and the development of minority communities, NIS 75 million for the Planning Administration to implement Government Application No. 550 (Economic Plan to Reduce Gaps in Arab Society, AA) and NIS 35 million for the Bedouin Development Authority Lieberman also requested that NIS 50 million be transferred to the Ministry of Environmental Protection for the purpose of implementing Government Resolution No. 550.
In addition, Lieberman requested a transfer of NIS 316 million for increasing the current budget of the Arab authorities, the Druze authorities in the Galilee and Carmel, and the Druze authorities in the Golan Heights.
Lieberman also asked to transfer NIS 5.1 million and an additional NIS 20 million in a commitment to coordinate government decision 550.
NIS 80 million in expenditure and NIS 30 million in commitment, along with internal changes in the Ministry of the Negev and the Galilee, and NIS half a million for the implementation of coalition agreements.
As you may recall, the chairman of the opposition, MK Benjamin Netanyahu, yesterday attacked Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, saying that he would do everything in his power to survive in power.
In response, the prime minister told Netanyahu that he was lying - and that Zoabi had been promised to open the five-year plan money to Arab society.
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