Gov't considering NIS 1.3B tax to fund ABC kits
State addresses ABC kits shortage, considering taxing public to fund kits; Finance Ministry opposes
The Home Front Ministry
and the National Security Council are considering levying a new tax estimated at NIS 1.3 billion (roughly $36,400,000) in a bid to secure the funding needed for supplying and distributing ABC kits to the entire population of Israel.
During the Knesset's Comptroller Committee proceedings it was revealed that the Home Front Ministry and the National Security Council are considering the new tax seeing as some 40% of Israel's population do not have ABC (atomic, biological, chemical warfare) kits.
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The considered tax was revealed Tuesday during the Knesset's Comptroller Committee proceedings.
MK Amnon Cohen (Shas), the committee's chairperson, said in response that "this is madness, enough taxes and cuts were imposed on the public during the last budget. The State should pay for the kits."
The Finance Ministry expressed opposition to the planned tax to secure the funding for supplying and distributing ABC kits to the entire population of Israel.
According to National Emergency Administration Chief Ze'ev Tzuk-Ram, citizens should pay for the kits, as they are also used for civil purposes, such as protection from spray paint in the automotive industry.
The Home Front Defense Ministry stated that "the issue of ABC kits in handled by the Defense Ministry."
According to the State Comptroller Joseph Shapira, current ABC stocks are insufficient despite a 2009 report determined that the entire population of Israel must be equipped with two-and-a-half years.
Minister of Communications and Home Front Defense Gilad Erdan said that "Seven years after the Second Lebanon War there is still no law to regulate home front response; I'm sure the prime minister will make a decision regarding distribution of responsibilities over the next few days."
MK Cohen added: "I am very concerned that citizens' safety is compromised. No one is taking responsibility… and emergency services are uncoordinated."
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