-Caveat Lector- >From http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/2162815.stm
Tuesday, 30 July, 2002, 22:03 GMT 23:03 UK Israeli cabinet backs budget cuts Social spending cuts were the focus of argument By Barbara Plett BBC correspondent in Jerusalem The Israeli cabinet has narrowly approved the biggest cuts in public spending in the country's history. Ministers voted 14 to 12 after a marathon debate over deep cuts in welfare and defence spending. We are at war. The economy is turned on its head and we have to stabilise the situation Finance Minister Silvan Shalom The Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon, has faced some of his strongest political opposition over the austerity measures. The measures are meant to push the country out of a debilitating recession brought on by the Palestinian uprising and a global downturn. If approved by parliament, it would be Israel's biggest budget cut - around $1.8bn. The Finance Minister, Silvan Shalom, said the plan was very difficult but very necessary. "We are at war," he said. "The economy is turned on its head and we have to stabilise the situation." Nail in the coffin Most of the opposition was directed at cuts in social spending which hit the weakest members of society the hardest - the unemployed and poor, especially single-parent families. Critics said this was the nail in the coffin of Israel as a welfare state. Settlement funding is not up for negotiation They called the austerity measures one-sided. For example, there is no reduction in the considerable allocations for Jewish settlers living in the occupied territories, a key constituency for Ariel Sharon and his right- wing Likud Party. Ministers from the left- wing Labour and the ultra-orthodox Shas parties voted against the budget proposal. But that wasn't enough to stop it. The plan would also cut defence spending, but that would be offset by a $200m grant from the US Congress to help Israel deal with the conflict. Reeling economy Parliament has until the end of the year to pass the budget. Israel's economy is reeling from the effect of the Palestinian uprising, which has chased off investment and tourism. That has coincided with a global slowdown in the key hi-tech sector. The economic crisis has triggered rare criticism of Ariel Sharon's coalition government, but hasn't upset the unity brought on by the sense of national emergency. However, that consensus may change if the security situation improves, and it looks as if the economy would be the trigger for any significant political protest. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A<>E<>R + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + Forwarded as information only; no automatic endorsement + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, this material is distributed without charge or profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving this type of information for non-profit research and educational purposes only. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + "Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut." --- Ernest Hemingway <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
