A meeting of the socioeconomic cabinet was held today (Wednesday) with the participation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Four issues were discussed: an outline for indemnification of residential property taxes in evacuated cities, an update on the outline of a grant for workers and businesses, an outline of a grant for workers in the construction and agriculture sectors, and the socioeconomic cabinet's recommendation to the political-security cabinet on the issue of routine employment of Palestinians. In addition, the ministers received a briefing from the head of the National Emergency Authority, Yoram Laredo.
During the cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister said: "I want to sharpen the amount of money that we are going to transfer for the benefit of the citizens of Israel – we have already spent many billions to help the evacuees, the families of the abducted and missing, the authorities in the north and south, the reservists and businesses; But we're going to bring a lot more just for the two months left - November, December. The Minister of Finance will bring an amended budget for these months, which will include about NIS 12 billion in civilian aid. We're spending four times as much on businesses as we spent during COVID-<>. There will be no shortage of money here."
He added: "We will make sure that the money reaches those who need it. No one will be left behind. No financial problem. The State of Israel is economically strong to meet this, and this will help us conduct the war in parallel with the other objectives. A strong home front gives us a strong front in the war."
There is an expansion and additional response to civilian needs
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also spoke in the cabinet and emphasized that beyond the five objectives, the sixth goal is to integrate them. "There is a government, there is a state, and it provides a full safety net. Sometimes it takes time. The Ministry of Education, Social Affairs, Interior, Health, Labor, National Insurance, all ministries, the Ministry of Housing and the shelters, everyone here takes full responsibility. More than 100,<> people who were evacuated from their homes for a long time receive the best envelope we can and are constantly trying to improve."
He also emphasized that there is no need to delay because money is needed, and as early as next week they will move coolly to increase the budget, "There is a change in priorities, there is streamlining within the existing budget, the war is binding, but there is also an expansion and additional response to civilian needs so that we can meet everything that the people of Israel need now."
Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich, Photo: Noam Rivkin Fenton/Flash90
On the subject of municipal taxes, it was decided that the government would grant an exemption from paying residential property taxes in evacuated localities, while fully indemnifying the local authorities and fully indemnifying businesses for paying business property taxes. The resolution passed unanimously.
In addition, cabinet ministers were updated on a grant to businesses and employees in order to return workers to their jobs. The plan includes a budget of NIS 3,000 per month for evacuated workers who return to work. Employers will be entitled to full indemnification for transportation costs and expenses.
In addition, the cabinet ministers were updated on a grant for new workers who will enter the agriculture and construction sectors and will receive a grant of NIS 3,000 each month for the first two months and a grant of NIS 4,000 for the third month. In the event that the work will be in an area evacuated by the National Emergency Authority, the grant will be double and will be NIS 6,000 each month for the first two months and NIS 8,000 for the third month.
Regarding the issue of bringing in Arab workers from Judea and Samaria, against the background of the Shin Bet's recommendation for controlled income of a limited number, the discussion ended without a recommendation on this issue.
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