Beilin: Gov't has brought about piggish capitalism

Meretz chairman slams Kadima, Labor parties over across-the-board cuts in 2008 budget
Attila Somfalvi

Meretz Party leader MK Yossi Beilin censured the government over the 2008 budget which he said was "anti-social."

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"The joining of forces between Kadima, Labor and the Pensioners brought about a piggish capitalism of the year 2008 which easily outdoes the capitalism of the Netanyahu years," Beilin said referring to former Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"The budget is a slap in the face for many who believed in government promises to narrow social gaps," Beilin added.

He slammed the Labor Party for sitting in a government that plans 3 percent across-the-board cuts. He said Labor should have at least insisted that the Ministries of Education and Welfare be spared the cuts.

Turning his attention to the political front, Beilin said that Labor was a "minority" in the government that supports the revival of peace talks with the Palestinians.