Moshe Kahlon
Moshe KahlonPhoto: Yonatan Sindel / Flash 90

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon (Kulanu) on Monday promised that the government-funded projects he initiated to enable young couples to purchase homes would not end prematurely due to political tenions.

"We have received hundreds of questions from parents and young couples, asking whether the Mechir Lamishtaken project will continue if there is a political crisis," Kahlon wrote on his Facebook page.

"At the end of the month, there will be approximately 53,000 young couples who have the right to own an apartment at a decent price in the area they chose. I want to reassure you: As long as we are in the government - whether this government or the next government - we will not allow anyone to torpedo this plan, which we worked so hard on."

"In the Housing Ministry, Finance Ministry, and Housing Task Force, thousands of people invested millions of hours and billions of shekels in order to ensure Mechir Lemishtaken succeeds. We will not allow it to be torpedoed.

"I am also speaking to those who have not yet won an apartment, to the couples and the young people who are waiting: In the coming government, we will continue this program. As long as the Kulanu party and myself are part of the government, we will continue helping young couples, and ensure you will be able to purchase an apartment at a reasonable price, and not at an outrageous price."

Mechir Lemishtaken (Buyers' Price) offers eligible first-time buyers the opportunity to enter a lottery and win the right to a brand-new, subsidized apartment. According to Kahlon, the program aims to "put an end to the building companies' and contractors' ability to run Israel's housing market."