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According to Israel Radio and other reports on Wednesday, 2 Nissan, a meeting between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon failed to yield agreement between the sides. It was at least the fourth meeting between them on the matter. The two will be meeting again however as the matter is one of critical importance, one that may lead to early Knesset elections if they dissolve the coalition over it.
The matter surrounds the prime minister’s planned shutting of the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) to be replaced with a new entity, the Israel Public Broadcasting Authority (IPBA). All the employees of the former will be fired and some will be rehired, many with different salaries and conditions. One of the reasons for the move is that Mr. Netanyahu feels the salaries and conditions of many of the veteran employees have become unreasonably high.
Kahlon opposes the move and the two have been at odds, so much so there is already and undercurrent of rumors that early elections are unavoidable. Shas leader Aryeh Deri has been pivotal in working to bridge the gap, absolutely opposed to early elections. Yahadut Hatorah announces it too is opposed, but adds “the party is not afraid to go to elections if need be”.
IBA employees on Wednesday 2 Nissan protested during the morning hours outside the treasury, calling on Kahlon not to give in on his position, relying on him to save their jobs as they are today.
Mr. Netanyahu has announced several times that there would be no compromise on his decision to shut IBA and Kahlon will have to meet his terms or elections will follow.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
Gee, here are the Broadcasting Authority members blocking the light rail and traffic , where are the condemnations against them that were so prevalent when haredim did the same thing when protesting things far more important than keeping inflated salaries?