On March 12th, the George Shultz Roundtable Forum hosted a discussion with candidates for the next finance minister. With elections coming up on March 28th, this heated debate included MK Chaim Oron (Meretz-Yahad), MK Yisrael Katz (Likud), Professor Avishai Braverman (President of Ben-Gurion University, Labor), economist Dr. Dan Ben-David (Kadima), and MK Yitzhak Cohen (Shas) and was mediated by Sever Plotzker, economic editor for the Yediot Ahronot newspaper and IDI's Carmit Guy.
Topics discussed included the deficit, the possibility of building a casino in Israel, reducing taxes, and minimum wage.
- Yisrael Katz stated that the Likud will strive to reduce taxes. He also praised the economic plans which Netanyahu, during his term as finance minister, had implemented. Katz also stated that he is personally against the opening of a casino in Israel. He is also against raising the minimum wage to $1,000, as he claimed that employers will not be able to handle this.
- Avishai Braverman is against reducing taxes. He also stated that he supports helping weaker sectors such as the handicapped and senior citizens. Braverman declared that he is against opening a casino in Israel. He wishes to raise minimum wage to $1,000, but likewise help employers meet this sum.
- Chaim Oron stated that Meretz’s plan will bring in an additional 10-12 billion NIS per year. He plans to reduce the security budget, and raise fines for environmental crimes. He plans to raise taxes among the rich. He stated that Meretz is against opening a casino. He wants to raise minimum wage and raise pensions accordingly.
- Yitzhak Cohen emphasized the need to invest in education.
- Dan Ben-David spoke about the importance of transparency for the national budget. He is personally against the opening of a casino in Israel, (although MK Abraham Hirchson from Kadima supports it). He further stated that there need to be major reforms in the Educational system which has been neglected for decades and that education is a long-term investment.