Responding to the annual poverty report, published today by the Social Security Institute (Bituach Leumi), former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took credit for reducing poverty rates during his terms in office.
"This report from Bituach Leumi that was published today establishes that the grants and economic assistance provided by the government under my leadership during the coronavirus crisis rescued many Israelis from poverty and many businesses from bankruptcy," Netanyahu said.
"Due to our economic policies, the percentage of Israelis suffering poverty decreased and the standard of living increased - despite the coronavirus crisis. This is further proof that we took the correct decisions for the benefit of Israeli citizens, and that we were extremely successful in extricating Israel from the coronavirus crisis and creating the best possible situation in terms of both health and finances."