From the Liveblog of
Thursday, January 20, 2022
Liberman reiterates opposition to further aid for businesses hurting from COVID
Finance Minister Avigdor Liberman pushes back against criticism over his opposition to government compensation for businesses hurting from the latest COVID-19 outbreak and the government’s pandemic policies.
“I don’t think that within 20 days it is possible to reach a situation of existential risk and collapse,” he tells the Kan public broadcaster, referring to the woes of the businesses.
He insists the economy was “as good as we could have dreamed” in 2021.
“There is no doubt that people and businesses are hurting, my heart is with them, but on the whole our economy at the moment is still in a good situation,” Liberman says.
He adds: “We won’t abandon anyone, but there won’t be a disbursal of money.”
The Treasury chief also issues a fresh call to scrap the “Green Pass,” which limits entry to certain venues and activities to those with immunization certificates.
“It doesn’t correspond to reality. People are prepared to take responsibility in terms of everything that is imposed on them, whether it is a mask or vaccines,” he says.
