Olmert. No populist policies
Photo: Ata Awisat
Netanyahu and Peretz. 'Belong to the past'
Photo: Sebastian Scheiner
Olmert: Israeli economy is stable
Finance minister states Israeli economy remains stable despite political turmoil, slams political opponents for promoting irrelevant economic policies
The Israeli economy projects stability which stands in contradiction to the political upheaval surrounding it, Finance Minister Ehud Olmert said Monday at the Israel Business Conference.
Political Rivals
Tani Goldstein
Former finance minister, Labor leader trade fire over economic policies
Speaking before a small crowd at the end of a long and eventful day at the conference, Olmert remarked on the changes in Israel's political map, and referred to his rivals on both sides of the political spectrum, former Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Labor Chairman Amir Peretz.
"I heard there was action at the conference Sunday with two opponents - one from the far-right, the other from the far-left - wrangling and competing in waving slogans," Olmert said sarcastically.
Speaking of Netanyahu, Olmert admitted that his predecessor in office initiated many important changes in the Israeli economy, but added that it's wrong to describe the situation before Netanyahu took office as 'catastrophic.'
"It is not as if we were standing on the verge of collapse, and then someone came and magically saved the economy by pushing buttons and pyrotechnics," he said.
Policies of the past
The finance minister directed scathing remarks at Peretz as well, and claimed that the Labor leader was making empty promises to the public.
"It is impossible to take seriously promises of all-encompassing wage raises, when the state's cash register is half-empty. The social problems should be addressed, but not by way of throwing money out of the public money box," Olmert said.
The exchange of words between Netanyahu and Peretz represents the economy of the past, and not what should be done in the future, he added.
Olmert also pledged to channel money to the developing towns in Israel's periphery, and said that while the former generous pension policy abolished by Bibi will not be reinstated, the government will allocate funds to support the poor.
The finance minister concluded his speech by vowing not to involve himself in populist economic policies ahead of the upcoming elections.
