Although the economic issues are now of central importance in the election campaign, the independent public no longer believes the politicians' promises: about 64% of the independents do not believe that after the elections the members of the Knesset will take steps in favor of the business owners and the independents.
Beyond that, about 66% of the self-employed fear for the survival of their business.
This is according to the survey conducted by "Lehav", the Chamber of Independent Organizations and Businesses in Israel, which was obtained by "Israel Today".
The survey also shows that about 60% of the independents will consider changing their vote if one of the parties undertakes to promote a social safety net for business owners and the self-employed.
According to the president of Lahav, attorney Roi Cohen, these are alarming findings: "There is a major crisis of confidence among business owners and the self-employed in relation to public officials.
The decision makers need to wake up and realize that there are more than half a million men and women here whose voices are not heard.
Their needs are left behind."
The government must intervene
Cohen added: "We are talking about the public that provides for close to two million workers in the economy, pays taxes and fulfills all obligations - but there are no rights. We demand from any government that there be equal rights and a social safety net just like for employees. We will not be satisfied with more promises but with actions."
Regarding the statistic that 66% of the self-employed fear for the survival of their business, Attorney Roi Cohen, president of Lahav, said: "At this time, such a statistic must receive immediate attention from any government.
The fact that we are in the midst of a wave of price increases in the economy requires us to lead a series of steps to increase the flow in businesses, to reduce costs and to increase growth and productivity."
31% of respondents indicated that in their opinion, a right-wing government would take better care of business owners and the self-employed in Israel, compared to 16% who indicated that a center-left government would do so, and 18% of respondents believed that a unity government would be better for them.
However, about 35% of the respondents stated that no government will take care of the business owners and the self-employed in Israel.
About 50% of the respondents stated that the main reason why many businesses close in Israel is the regulation and bureaucracy imposed on them by the government ministries and the Knesset.
32% stated that in their opinion the main reason is direct and indirect taxation, while 12% answered that the reason is a lack of professional knowledge and lack of financial education of business owners.
Only 6% mentioned regulation and bureaucracy on behalf of the local authorities.
About 65% of the respondents stated that, in their opinion, after the elections the members of the Knesset will take little action or not at all, in the interest of the public of business owners and the self-employed.
In contrast, 12% believe to a large extent that members of the Knesset will take significant steps for them, and 24% answered that they believe this to some extent.
The cost of living first
Most of those surveyed (about 60%) think that the most effective step to reduce the cost of living is a reduction in direct taxation such as income tax and national insurance.
The rest of the respondents stated other answers: a reduction in VAT rates (12%), a reduction in overhead prices (9%), a reduction in property tax rates (7%) and ease in providing credit and credit costs (4%). The rest of the respondents stated that they did not know.
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