Blaming others. Netanyahu.
Photo: Emil Salman
Netanyahu: Olmert government to blame for housing crisis
In interview, prime minister says his predecessor stopped construction and planning in central Israel, while Lapid stopped move of IDF bases to Negev to clear desired areas for construction.
Benjamin Netanyahu has been prime minister for the past six years, but according to him - the blame for the housing crisis lies on his predecessor - Ehud Olmert.
In an interview with Channel 2 aired Tuesday evening, Netanyahu was asked about the rising cost of housing and blamed former finance minister Yair Lapid as well.
Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
"Why did the prices of apartments begin to rise? Because the Olmert government made an outrageous decision to stop construction and planning in central Israel. We started taking care of it two years ago, but that stopped because we got an 'atmosphere party' that was bigger than our party. Lapid stopped the decision to move IDF bases from areas on demand and I had to fire him and make the decision to continue," he said.
On his appointment of Lapid as finance minister, Netanyahu said: "I think his appointment was a great deal forced on us. The right thing to do is to strengthen the ruling party."
The Labor-Hatnua campaign said in response to the interview: "After 12 years as prime minister and finance minister, what's left for Netanyahu to do is to accuse Olmert of his failure in (dealing with) housing. Soon he'll blame Golda Meir for the security situation and Menachem Begin for the high cost of living. Leaders don't build with whining, or with obsessive evasion of decision-making. The public won't give Netanyahu more chances. Herzog and Livni will replace him and march Israel forward to a far better reality, and will do this with leadership rather than whining."
