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Olmert goes on poverty tour
New finance minister says he is troubled by poverty situation for 'three years,' but says no change of policy will take place
Tova Dadon
Finance Minister Ehud Olmert visited the soup kitchens of the southern development town of Ashkelon, and met with pensioners and residents badly affected by the lowering of their retirement fund.
Olmert also visited two families who faced crippling poverty in the area.
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The finance minister announced the setting up of a public bureau to fight poverty in Israel, to be headed by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.
“For three years now, the poverty issue had disturbed me, and I have been coming to sites like this during those years. Now I am in the position of finance minister and can do something.”
It did not take long for Olmert to see the difficulties of those living in the development in the town, as he met Ethiopian demonstrators at the entrance to Kiryat Malahi, who were protesting.
The soup houses in the town, run by rabbi Dudi Zilbersheleg, and the “power to give” charity, provide the Ethiopian children with food.
Olmert heard how 70 children arrive for meals every day the soup houses.
'We haven't had the resources'
He was asked repeatedly why the Finance Ministry has not worked to alleviate the poverty. “We haven’t had the resources up to now to deal with this poverty, but the market is now showing signs of growth, and we must direct resources, so that not only the top wealthiest enjoy their benefits.”
Olmert brought a large entourage with him, including representatives from the Finance Ministry. “I wanted them to see the situation here first hand, and not through others. They should see what it really looks like,” said Olmert.
The Brightening Faces organization sends around 20,000 food packages a day to the area, including the schools. Kiryat Malahi’s mayor, Moti Malaha, said that “for some children, this is only the hot meal they will see throughout the day. The meal costs one shekel.”
However, Olmert made clear that he had no intention of changing the pensions policy set by the government. “The answer to this type of poverty is the growth of local businesses,” he said. “We are not planning on changing government policy, but we are changing the emphasis to social aspects.”
The pensioners who met Olmert did not discuss the reduction of their funds, but did welcome him and wish him success. For them, the fact that Olmert made the effort to meet them seemed to suffice.
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