Finance Minister Silvan Shalom believes that the fall in the value of the shekel against the US dollar will not bring about an all-around price hike or increased inflation rate. At a Tel Aviv press conference today, Shalom said that the lowering of interest rates, which caused the fall in the shekel\'s value, was a long-needed adjustment. Shalom is convinced that the move will greatly help Israeli exporters and create tens of thousands of jobs in the market. He told reporters that Israeli couples paying mortgages will also benefit from the lower interest rates, and that there is no plan to impose new taxes this year.
In response to a question regarding the ongoing strike of disabled citizens, Shalom denied allegations that he refused to meet with them. He said that he has met with them several times since their strike began, but they are demanding 6 billion NIS which is an unrealistic figure to work with.
In a related story, Bank of Israel Governor Dr. David Klein today called upon the treasury to impose a capital gains tax on stock market earnings. Klein cautioned that the move should be done only after thorough investigation to avoid the mistake made in 1994, when the tax was imposed and shortly thereafter canceled. Dr. Klein made his comments to the Knesset Finance Committee. MK Yair Peretz (Shas Party) submitted a bill to the Knesset today for increased taxation on stock market earnings.
In response to a question regarding the ongoing strike of disabled citizens, Shalom denied allegations that he refused to meet with them. He said that he has met with them several times since their strike began, but they are demanding 6 billion NIS which is an unrealistic figure to work with.
In a related story, Bank of Israel Governor Dr. David Klein today called upon the treasury to impose a capital gains tax on stock market earnings. Klein cautioned that the move should be done only after thorough investigation to avoid the mistake made in 1994, when the tax was imposed and shortly thereafter canceled. Dr. Klein made his comments to the Knesset Finance Committee. MK Yair Peretz (Shas Party) submitted a bill to the Knesset today for increased taxation on stock market earnings.