Lapid and Bennett: Friends till the end?
Lapid and Bennett: Friends till the end?Flash 90

Economics Minister Naftali Bennett on Thursday expressed full support for Finance Minister Yair Lapid, who in the past several days has been slammed by politicians, charitable groups, and consumer organizations for proposed major budget cuts and tax hikes. “I am not just 'sort of' behind him, but fully behind him,” Bennett wrote in a Facebook post.

Continuing on his recent theme that Israel's financial system needed “an expert plumber” to uncork blocks to competition, Bennett wrote that “Israel's economy has experienced a 'water pipe explosion' in past years. Each month we spent and wasted money we didn't have. One leak followed another, and we were headed on the road to sure bankruptcy.

“With this proposed budget, Lapid has applied a temporary tourniquet to stop the bleeding,” wrote Bennett. “We all know there is no choice. This is the only responsible and proper move at this point, even if it is very unpopular.

“It's easy to stand on the side and criticize, mumble, or remain silent. But we are all in one boat. You cannot resolve a NIS 50 billion deficit without unpopular and difficult decisions. This government has four years,” Bennett added. “We will fix what needs to be fixed. We will take responsibility for the tough decisions even when it is unpleasant. We, the members of the government, are not spectators. We are playing in the field and will do what is necessary.”