Likud ministers today (Sunday) attacked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's grant program, arguing at a government meeting that changes should be implemented.
Minister Gila Gamliel argued that the possibility of providing vouchers rather than cash should be examined - so that it would be possible to ensure that the purchase is made only in Israel. Minister Ze'ev Elkin suggested providing the funds only to those who are eligible for income benefits.
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Blue and White ministers also argued that changes should be made to the program, so that more money goes to those who need it, such as the unemployed and those who went on unpaid leave - and not to all citizens.
Economy and Industry Minister Amir Peretz said in the debate: "In normal times, I would accept the plan, which is based on a universal concept in which I believe. But these days, when it is clear that disadvantaged populations are the engine of growth, we must prepare an integrated plan - in which some of the grants will be distributed universally, and others will assist disadvantaged populations.".
Despite the controversies, most government ministers supported the grant program.
During the meeting, the minister defended the Prime Minister's way of managing the crisis, claiming: "We are dealing with an event that is developing and changing in real time, and therefore decisions are made in accordance with the event.".
In response, Minister Amir Peretz attacked the manner in which the crisis is being managed, and the monopoly that the National Security Council currently holds on presenting data regarding the pandemic to government ministers.
""We should not be satisfied with the NSC reports," Minister Peretz argued. "The time has come for every proposed resolution that comes up, in addition to the NSC recommendations, an additional team will be established to make recommendations in parallel.".
Minister Gila Gamliel was not left wanting, and said: "In the first wave, things worked fine without unity and without the individualism. This is a government meeting, not a meeting of the committee in the kibbutz. The prime minister should be allowed to manage this crisis and not put sticks in the wheels.".
It was determined that the method of distributing the grants would be decided by a committee whose members would include Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Finance Minister Yisrael Katz, and Economy Minister Amir Peretz. This was after Blue and White criticized the distribution outline, which does not include a socioeconomic criterion.
