The government on Sunday approved the budgetary request by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a cash stipend to citizens announced last week though ministers insisted on a more deliberate effort to help those in need and not a universal distribution to all.
Netanyahu and Finance Minister Israel Katz said the government would deliver 750 shekels for each citizen and up to 3000 shekels for each family.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a cash stipend to all citizens
(Photo: GPO)
The plan drew condemnation from many economists and the parliamentary opposition who called it an attempt to buy off the public in order to stop the daily demonstrations calling for the prime minister's resignation over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and its economic fallout as well as the corruption cases now being heard against him in the courts.
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Demonstrations outside the residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calling for his resignation
(Photo: EPA)
The inner cabinet on economy comprised by the prime minister, Defense Minister Gantz , Finance Minister Israel Katz and Economic Minister Amir Peretz – will meet in the evening hours to determine how the money is to be distributed with legislation to be tabled by Tuesday according to the government's statement released at the end of the cabinet meeting.
Netanyahu told ministers the six-billion-shekel influx of funds to citizens would jump-start economic activity. "Speed is of the essence, " he told the government insisting that any plan that would place criteria for identifying those in need, would take too long.
First published: 17:48, 07.19.20