Netanyahu: Costs of living rising because of funds to Arab interests

Former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives for a court hearing in his trial, at the District Court in Jerusalem on May 11, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives for a court hearing in his trial, at the District Court in Jerusalem on May 11, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu attacks the government for Israel’s rising cost of living.

Netanyahu says the government can’t control housing, food, and gas prices because it funds causes supported by Arab parliamentarians.

“Every week, they transfer billions to political blackmailers, terror supporters and Israel haters. Israeli citizens are forced to pay high taxes in order for the government to pay the Abbas tax, the Tibi tax, the Zoabi tax,” Netanyahu says. “And for whom is nothing left? Nothing is left for Israeli citizens.”

The Likud leader repeats accusations he made before that the government directs public funds to projects supported by Arab lawmakers in order to achieve political aims. “Instead of fighting to lower prices and lower taxes, this weak and extortive government is concerned solely with its survival,” Netanyahu says.

Netanyahu was reportedly himself willing to transfer significant funds to Arab interests during 2021 talks with Ra’am if it would support his own prospective government.

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