MK Itzik Shmuli (Labor) has addressed the tragic suicide of a stallholder from the Mahane Yehuda open-air market in Jerusalem.
"This is a desperate call to action," he said. "The collapse of the economy is bringing people to the brink of despair, and now is actually taking its toll in human lives. This is a tragic occurrence. The government must change course and significantly broaden the economic safety net extended to the self-employed and to employees who have lost their jobs."
He added that, "The government has to significantly increase the amount of assistance given, in line with what other countries are doing, otherwise it won't be a solution at all. There is no doubt that this is an absolutely urgent priority, and this is what I will be focusing on at the Welfare Ministry."
It is expected that MK Shmuli will be given the Welfare portfolio in the incoming unity government.