Chairman Moshe Gafni of the Knesset Finance Committee rejected, Tuesday, media reports that the government intends to raise the value-added sales tax (VAT) to 17 percent.
Gafni told the committee, "VAT won't rise! I checked with the Treasurer and members of his office and, as of now, there is no intentionto raise theVAT.Treasury officialstold methere wasnot evena discussion on the matter. "