Dei'ah veDibur - Information & Insight

A Window into the Charedi World

17 Shevat 5759 - Feb. 3, 1999 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
NEWS

IN-DEPTH
FEATURES

OPINION
& COMMENT

HOME
& FAMILY

VAAD HORABBONIM HAOLAMI LEINYONEI GIYUR

TOPICS IN THE NEWS

HOMEPAGE

News
Rabbi Ravitz: Most of UTJ's Budgetary Demands are in Education

by Betzalel Kahn

MK Rabbi Avrohom Ravitz the chairman of the Finance Committee, is a central figure in the entire budget affair. He delayed the approval of the budget for a long time in order to pressure the Knesset into approving the Religious Council's Law.

Rabbi Ravitz, the State has been running for a full month without a budget. What is preventing the budget from being approved?

"In order to pass a budget, a majority is necessary and, as is known, the coalition is limited in its number of members, so that all of its members have to approve it. Last month, UTJ also had a hand in delaying the budget -- not for financial reason, but due to our linking the approval of the Religious Councils Law to the budget. We manage our financial matters without threats. However other parties do the same thing for other reasons close to their hearts.

To what extent do the MK's of other parties make demands?"

"I haven't measured this. But the Yisrael b'Aliya party, for example, is interested in building 5000 dwelling units at a cost of a billion shekels. I heard this. Regarding the demands of other MKs, I don't know what amounts are being asked for.

On what issues do MKs pose ultimatums?

"Settlements, bypass roads, legal arrangements for the radio's Channel Seven, as well as financial demands from the Mafdal, which knows how to ask. I don't know what they ask, because I don't take an interest in that. I don't want to involve myself in the demands of others. I don't want to be on the side of the government and its head. I know the demands of UTJ and focus on them.

In what area does UTJ make ultimatums, besides the Religious Councils Law?

We stipulated that if the Religious Councils Law wasn't passed, I would not pass the budget in the Finance Committee. Everyone who is familiar with the educational world, knows that most of the demands pertain to it. I sincerely hope that our situation will improve and exceed last year's. We are trying to advance. I am not certain that we will be able to get what we think we deserve. But we've at least made a step forward.

Was damage caused by the delay in the approval of the budget?

"Damage was certainly done. If the State wants to return to economic growth, it must sign various budgetary activity contracts. As long as there isn't a budget, it can't sign long term contracts. Budgetary licenses must be on the basis of the budget of '98. Therefore there is damage."


All material on this site is copyrighted and its use is restricted.
Click here for conditions of use.