‘The finance boys run the country’
Lahav president attacks Finance Ministry officials, says they ignore small businesses
The Finance Ministry doesn’t care about small businesses, the president of Lahav, the umbrella organization for independent businesses, charged last week at the Maariv Conference in Jerusalem.
“With all due respect to the finance minister, those who run the country are Finance Ministry officials. As far as they’re concerned, a business opens, a business closes, it has no meaning,” said Roei Cohen, the head of Lahav. “They are taking advantage of this sector that is the engine of economic growth. The country believes that the self-employed are cheating on income tax, so they do not deserve any benefits. If a self-employed man is sick and stays at home for three months, who will help him?”
When the panel’s moderator, Maariv economic commentator Yehuda Sharoni, asked Cohen why his tone was so sharp, Cohen replied, “I am taking off the gloves. I’m here to announce that 530,000 businesses will not forget the politicians’ decisions.”
Economy Minister Eli Cohen referred to the political system’s assessment of early elections. “There is no reason why this government should not serve until the end of the term,” he said. “If we go to elections it is not because there is no consensus on this or that, but because someone thinks it’s better.”
When asked about his “war with the banks,” Minister Cohen said. “The banking system in Israel is one of the centralization in the Western world, and those who pay the price are the customers”.
Manufacturers Association of Israel president Shraga Brosh referred to there being no women recipients of the Industry Prize this year. “I do not know any industrialist woman who is willing to receive a prize just because she is a woman. The criteria for receiving the award are professional. Who improved the status of the worker? Who improved profitability? We initiated an appeal to all women in the industry, including Arabs and minority groups. At the end of the day, in this industry, you’re chosen according to professional standards only.”
Brosh also referred to those elderly people who have difficulty making ends meet. “Our duty is to take care of the people who built the country so they’ll be able to live with dignity,” he said. When asked about entering politics, Brosh said he considered the issue but decided not to.
Menorah Mivtachim CEO Guy Krieger spoke about regulation in the economy. “I can understand those who are sitting in Jerusalem and want to catch plenty,” he said. “Proper regulation is an asset to the people of Israel if it transcends matters for the benefit of the consumer.”