Labor Party Chairman MK Amir Peretz contacted Bank of Israel Governor Prof. Amir Yaron calling on commercial and mortgage banks to allow delayed repayment of housing loan payments until the crisis passes.
"As is well known, in the Israeli economy there are hundreds of thousands of contract workers and workers on a daily and hourly basis whose income is severely impaired due to the labor market guidelines, alongside them - employees in tourism, catering, and recreation and the supporting industries, as well as small business owners.
"The ability of all of these to pay off the mortgage consistently is significantly impaired and, therefore, the Bank of Israel must intervene and order the commercial and mortgage banks to allow delayed repayment of housing loan payments until the crisis is over. This step will prevent fines and interest on arrears by many Israelis whose livelihoods have been damaged by the spread of the virus, and in more severe cases - homelessness."