Steinitz slated to head talks with social activists

Likud officials hint finance minister will head negotiations with housing crisis protesters

Boaz Fyler|Published: 07.31.11 , 20:48

Likud officials hinted Sunday that Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz will most likely head a ministerial committee tasked with negotiating a solution to the housing crisis vis-à-vis the protesters, as previously announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Communications Minister Moshe Kahlon and Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Shalom Simhon are also expected to take part in the special committee.

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Revolution

Activists: PM's proposal manipulative

Boaz Fyler

Organizers of tent protest dismiss Prime Minister Netanyahu's offer to delegate dialogue to ministerial committee, threaten bolstered 'protest force' if their demands are not met

Activists: PM's proposal manipulative

Following the PM's announcement Sunday morning, some senior ministers claimed it was "a slap in the finance minister's face."

The officials said it would make no sense for Steinitz to head a committee charged with examining the Treasury's policies and modus operandi.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu is expected to announce the final make up of the committee later Sunday night or on Monday. The PM has until now refused to hold discussions of this kind with the protesters.

The protesters dismissed the promises, calling Netanyahu's committee offer "manipulative" and threatening a escelate protest efforts if their demands were not met.

Quitting – not a solution

The social protest has sent shockwaves through the Treasury, as well, as Finance Ministry Director-General Haim Shani stepped down Sunday morning. "It seems that the PM stepped over the Treasury's jurisdiction and that got him upset," an official commented.

"We hope this doesn't hurt the chances of achieving an expected solution," said Ofri Raviv, vice president of the student union at Hebrew University.

"I believe that if they don't find solutions to the cries heard in 'tent cities' around the country, then other figures will also decide to take responsibility and go home. Resigning is not the solution, but a real, organized plan by the Israeli government, answering all of our needs is," concluded Raviv.