After Russia's threats that the offices of the Jewish Agency in Russia would be closed, Prime Minister Yair Lapid convened a discussion on the issue today (Sunday).
The Prime Minister said in the debate that relations with Russia are important to Israel, and the Jewish community in Russia is large and important, and comes up in every political conversation with the government in Moscow. According to him, the closing of the agency's offices would be a serious event, which would adversely affect relations between the countries.
Lapid instructed the legal delegation to be ready to leave for Moscow as soon as the Russian approval for the talks is received, and to make every effort to exhaust the legal dialogue, at the same time as continuing to promote a political dialogue on the issue.
Among the participants in the discussion: Minister of Immigration and Absorption, Panina Tamno Sheta;
Minister of Finance, Avigdor Lieberman;
Minister of Construction and Housing, Zeev Elkin;
Director General of the Prime Minister's Office, Naama Shultz; Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alon Oshfiz; VP of Eurasia, Gerry Korn; as well as representatives of the Jewish Agency: Director General of the Jewish Agency, Amira Aronovitz, and the Agency's Chairman, Jacob Hagoel.
Government meeting, photo: Mark Israel Salem
"He was hit by terrorists at their home"
After the debate, Lapid held a cabinet meeting, in which he said: "The IDF, Shin Bet and IMM forces raided the hideouts of wanted persons in Nablus tonight.
These are terrorists, who recently carried out a series of shooting attacks.
Our fighters responded quickly, efficiently and accurately.
I congratulate the security forces for an effective and successful operation.
This government's policy is resolute: we will not sit back and wait for Israeli citizens to be harmed.
We will go out and hit the terrorists at their house.
"On another matter: the World Health Organization declared a state of emergency over the weekend following the spread of the monkeypox virus. The Ministry of Health, led by Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz, has been preparing for weeks to treat the virus and has taken steps to locate patients, prevent infection and treat patients. 10,000 doses of vaccine were purchased, 5,000 doses are supposed to land in Israel during the coming week. With the arrival of the vaccines, the health funds will begin to vaccinate at-risk populations.
"On this occasion, a word about the corona virus: the current wave of morbidity is waning. There are currently 370 seriously ill patients in the hospitals. The vaccines are available in Israel, and we hope that by winter there will be a vaccine adapted to Leumicron.
Government meeting, photo: Mark Israel Salem
"Citizens who don't finish the month"
"One last issue: starting next week, August 1, the price of fuel in Israel will decrease. The prices of fruits and vegetables are also on the downward trend, and we are working to minimize the increase in bread prices. I want to thank the Minister of Finance, Yvette Lieberman, for the economic leadership he is showing.
"This government will lead a determined campaign against the cost of living. What is happening now is just the beginning. The cost of living is a national scourge, and we are determined to deal with it. There cannot be a rich country here with citizens who do not make ends meet. For 15 years the struggle against the cost of living has been completely neglected - They just didn't do anything. We are changing that now.
"Like we did with the corona virus, we will lead a targeted fight, we will go detail by detail. Food prices, housing prices, targeted aid for soldiers and young parents, import reforms that will lower basic products.
"I say a map to all the players in the market: those who raise prices irresponsibly may wake up in the morning and find themselves with competition that they did not expect. This government believes in competition and opening markets, and it will not hesitate to act."
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