Weekly Commentary: Finance Minister Smotrich Does Know Better
Dr. Aaron Lerner 1 October 2024

Israeli critics of the Netanyahu's government's handling of the economy
often slam finance minister Bezalel Smotrich for being clueless.

These critics are letting Smotrich off too easy.

Smotrich is an incredibly fast learner.

He first demonstrated this skill when, as minister of transportation after
"Herod" Katz, Smotrich set records in advancing projects.

This wasn't luck. Smotrich intensively studied the situation, often asking
his team questions no one ever raised. It wasn't long before projects were
accelerated far beyond anyone's expectations.

Smotrich was the same fast study at the Ministry of Finance.

So Smotrich isn't clueless.

Instead, like Prime Minister Netanyahu, Smotrich is fully aware of the heavy
cost we pay today and the disaster we will face in our future, if the
current arrangements for Haredi society continue.

Literally billions of shekels towards unsupervised educational institutions
which intentionally fail to provide their students with the skills needed to
be highly productive members of society as adults.

Economic arrangements to encourage men to choose poverty over gainful
employment.

And that's not even mentioning the profoundly financially mismanaged
institutions not subject to any serious oversight.

"Do not place a stumbling block before the blind" (Leviticus 19:14).

These days leading up to the Jewish New Year we have been privileged to
witness what happens when our leaders make courageous decisions to ensure
our physical security.

We urgently need the same courage to address the financial challenges our
society faces.

Finance minister Bezalel Smotrich is well equipped, in coordination with PM
Netanyahu, to lead his team to design and implement the measures and
policies necessary to ensure our financial future.
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