JERUSALEM (VINnews) — On his first day as Israel’s new finance minister, Religious Zionism leader Betzalel Smotrich reversed the decision of his predecessor Avigdor Liberman and cancelled the unpopular taxes on sweet beverages and paper goods.
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Liberman had claimed that the goal of these taxes was to encourage better health as well as protect the environment but critics claimed that the taxes were aimed to harm chareidim who are the widest users of these commodities.
Smotrich had announced previously that he would cancel these taxes if elected. Former minister of environment Tamar Sandberg (Meretz) attacked Smotrich, stating that he is using “small-minded politics to destroy health and the environment. The decision takes us light years backwards and will cause pollution and disease. I call on the new environment minister [Idit Silman] to oppose this damaging move.”
Chareidi MKs welcomed Smotrich’s decision. MK Yaakov Asher (UTJ) said that “Smotrich had proved on his first day that he keeps his word and has real compassion. His ruling rolls back the cruel taxes of Liberman and I am certain that he will use the same diligence to deal with the harsh legacy that Liberman has left us with prices soaring in the economy.”
MK Uri Maklev said that the cancellation of the taxes demonstrates the will of the new government to work “for the citizens and not against them.” He added that “we will work through education and persuasion to protect the environment and consume healthier beverages.”
One day in power, two timeless Torah values restored! (not)
Maybe they can make a total ban on driving and operating machinary on shabbos and Tom Tov to protect the environment
I thought that paper goods are good, but plastics are bad. Aren’t most places replacing plastics with paper / cardboard? Why would they have a tax on paper goods in the first place?
Mandates don’t work, at least that is what the liberal left always tells the religious community- that is why there are Reform, Conservative, Reconstructionist and non-affiliated sects within Judaism. Value based (Torah) education is the only answer to real change. Environmental waste is antithetical to Torah values, long before it became politically popular. But so is much of modern “woke” society- but it will take a conscious effort to build an educational system that teaches with love and patience.
Yes!
Elections have consequences. This time – good for us.
There will be no effective persuasion to protect the environment. It must be mandated.
Hashem gave us the world to live and enjoy and use its resources. A famliy with lots of children needs disposial paper goods. its basic necessity. If you want to recycle it then so be it. But to tax something so ESSENTIAL. This mitzva to save the enviornement was made up by liberal hot air reform non torah judasim. Stop making it as if its the biggest mitzvah. No it isn’t bal tashchis and cut the nonsense. Its more vitalk the jeiwsh familes be able to function with this necessity. I hope states like NJ/ CA rescind the silly plastic bag ban too. its also a tax on large frum familes and nonsense.