The Posk, the Gaon Rabbi Ben Zion Motzfi, Rosh Yeshiva 'Bnei Zion' in Jerusalem and Head of 'Badatz Bnei Zion', who harshly attacked Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in his shiur, because of the cancellation of the tax on sweetened beverages - published today (Wednesday) "'"Apology and clarification.".
In a response he wrote on the 'Demands Zion' website, he clarified:
""Regarding the words said by Belil Asherah Tevet in the class, in which I criticized the lowering of the tax on sugary drinks - unfortunately, there were bad and even offensive expressions said from 'Idna Dritcha' that should not have been said. I sincerely apologize for saying them, and ask forgiveness from anyone who was offended by them, Ben Zion Motzfi.".
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In his lesson, the rabbi said: "What fools these people are, this donkey is lowering the tax on sugary drinks, idiot. We are the number one country in amputations, where does that come from? From diabetes, there are over a million diabetics, over ten percent of the population, that's what is known.".
The Posk added: "There are those who have silent diabetes who have not discovered it. Diabetes comes when you eat sugar, drink sweet things, it also makes you fat, it also brings terrible diseases, diabetes is a terrible epidemic.".
Rabbi Motzfi emphasized that he understands the abolition of the tax on disposable tableware, but not the abolition of the tax on sugary drinks: "Here comes this fool, disposable, I understand you, okay, take it off, but first of all, sugary drinks in the morning, what happened?".
It should be noted that Smotrich made the decision - his first at the Finance Ministry - to cancel the taxes, due to the demand of the ultra-Orthodox parties in the coalition agreements.
