Cabinet approves transportation reform
Nineteen ministers vote in favor of comprehensive plan to construct network of highways, railways in north, south of country; four oppose plan, one abstains. PM: Significant achievement for State of Israel
The cabinet on Wednesday approved a plan to construct a network of highways and railways in the north and south of Israel. The proposal was discussed in a cabinet meeting since early Wednesday morning and was put up for a vote in which 19 ministers voted in favor, while four opposed and one minister obtained.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the plan is a significant achievement for the State of Israel. "Finally, after 62 years we have made a decision to connect the Negev and the Galilee to center of the country. The network of highways and trains will increase equality of opportunity, employment and housing possibilities," Netanyahu said after the vote.
The ministers who objected the plan were Isaac Herzog, Yitzhak Aharonovitch, Gideon Sa`ar and Silvan Shalom.
Netanyahu lauded the plan and said, "It's time to get out of the traffic jam we've been living in between Gedera and Hadera, and give our citizens movement that's free of traffic-lights from Kiryat Shmona to the Negev," he said.
The real dispute vis-à-vis the plan, which will take a decade to complete, is about whether it will come at the expense of other government services. The updated cost that was approved by the cabinet is estimated at some NIS 27.5 billion (about $7.31 billion), compared with NIS 50 billion ($13 billion) that was designated for the original plan.
Herzog: People are what's important
During the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu explained that despite the budget cut-backs, there is still a plan to connect Eilat and Kiryat Shmona to the center of the country, and that a large sum will be invested in planning these railways.
However, not all cabinet members were as excited about the plan. 11 ministers requested to speak in front of the cabinet and some expressed their reservations due to the affect such a plan might have on their ministries' jurisdiction and budget.
Minister of the Development of the Negev and Galilee Silvan Shalom said he objects the scheme because it does not include a plan to extend train services to Eilat and Kiryat Shmona.
Minister of Welfare and Social Services Isaac Herzog also opposed the prime minister and Transportation minister's plan. "The implications are the subjugation of the state's budget – especially that of education and welfare – to the construction of trains and roads.
"I am interested in providing for human beings, not roads and trains – with all due respect – and I have respect," he said.
"I fear that the 2011 budget will be subjugated, without holding a proper discussion to facilitate the list of priorities," Hezog added, "In my opinion, with all due respect to trains, people are what's important. When welfare offices in the peripheries collapse, I do not want to risk the budget for the sake of cement and concrete."
