Yair Lapid

Lapid: Retaking Gaza is on the Table

"We decided when to start the operation and we will also decide how to move forward," says Finance Minister.

Liberman: UNHRC is the Council for Terrorist Rights

Foreign Minister slams United Nations Human Rights Council over its intention to investigate the IDF's operations in Gaza.

Lapid: Hamas is Responsible for Children's Deaths

Israel is doing everything in its power to prevent the deaths of innocent civilians in airstrikes, says Finance Minister.

Lapid: No New Taxes, Unless War Continues Much Longer

Finance Minister Yair Lapid said that Operation Protective Edge would not have much of an effect on the state budget - hopefully.

Finance Minister Promises No Economic Limits on Gaza Operation

'There is no price for the safety of the citizens of Israel,' Finance Minister Yair Lapid reassures the public.

Lapid: Operation to Restore Calm First, Hit Hamas Later

Operation Protective Edge not an excuse to retake Gaza, Finance Minister insists.

Officials: Lapid's VAT Plan Illegal, Inflationary

Legal experts, as well as the head of the Bank of Israel, criticized Yair Lapid's VAT exemption plan for first-time homebuyers.

Ministers Demand 'Whatever Needed to Destroy Hamas'

In Sderot Lapid says 'no sane country would tolerate this'; Danon leaves possibility of ground invasion on the table.

Law Authorized to Limit Salaries of Top Execs

A new law will require publicly traded companies to limit the salaries of their top executives to no more than NIS 3.5 million.

Lapid Praises Abbas's 'Courageous' Comments on Kidnapping

Finance Minister says Abbas was brave for condemning the kidnapping of three Israelis, adds that Israel has to “break Hamas”.

Lapid Prays For First Time in Six Years for the Abductees

Meeting mother of Gilad Sha'ar, one of kidnapped teens, Lapid says he sat and prayed as soon as he heard of the kidnapping.

Lapid Assures that Kidnappers 'Will Not Get Away with it Alive'

Finance Minister emphasizes to visiting delegation that boys targeted 'not for political reasons, but because they are Jews.'

Ministers Give Nod to Lapid VAT Bill

The Ministerial Law Committee approved for legislation the law that would slash VAT costs for first-time home buyers.

MK Slams Left's 'Political Blindness'

Ayelet Shaked rips into left-wing parties for busying themselves with Judea-Samaria issues during ISIS takeover, other failures.

'Only a Unified National Camp Can Keep Israel Jewish'

MK Yoni Chetboun calls on Netanyahu to swap Yesh Atid for hareidi MKs in coalition, says Lapid attempting to make Israel 'universalist.'

Danon: The Left Should Take Some Tranquilizers

It's time for the left to calm down, says Deputy Defense Minister in wake of condemnations of the settlement enterprise.

Lapid Hits Back at Netanyahu: His Experience Hasn't Led to Peace

Ping pong match between the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister continues.

Arutz Sheva Interview

'We Want to See Yesh Atid Leave the Coalition'

Uri Ariel believes Jewish Home is gaining ground in the government, predicting to Arutz Sheva that coalition - and policy - changes await.

PM Mocks 'Inexperienced Lapid' for Contradicting Himself

Prime Minister Netanyahu slams Finance Minister Yair Lapid, branding him too inexperienced to make decisions on security.

Labor Tells Yesh Atid to Collapse Government for 'Peace'

Herzog slams Yesh Atid for Jewish Home alliance, tells party to join Opposition; Livni launches offensive on settlement enterprise.

Netanyahu to Lapid: We Saw the Results of Unilateral Moves

Prime Minister's associates criticize Lapid over speech at the Herzliya Conference.

Lapid Slams Annexation Plan, Calls for Resumption of Talks

Finance Minister describes Bennett's annexation plan as "delusional", threatens to topple government if it goes through.

Government Introduces Incentive Program for Construction Workers

Deal to provide subsidized training for Jewish construction workers, in bid to both solve housing and hareidi integration problems.

Lapid Says 'Don't Criticize' Hamas Unity Government

Yesh Atid leader says not to give Hamas 'opportunity to spark the fire back against us' so as 'to make headlines.'

On Again, Off Again Funds for Foreign Yeshiva Students On Again

Yeshivas hosting students from abroad will once again be eligible for funds for their programs - but there is a catch.

Poll Shows Jewish Home Stronger at 15 MKs

A party headed by Moshe Kahlon would receive 14 seats and could make either Likud or Labor the ruling party.

Minister Threatens Annexation Move will Spell End of Coalition

Yair Lapid says 'you cannot build infrastructure somewhere that won't be part of Israel.'

Maccabi Tel Aviv Congratulated over Championship

"You did it big time", Prime Minister Netanyahu tells Maccabi Tel Aviv coach after victory.

Herzog to Livni and Lapid: Leave the Coalition

Opposition leader says Lapid and Livni should leave the government over peace talks failure.

Why is the Government Still Funding 'Nakba Day' Events?

MK Fania Kirschenbaum (Likud-Beiteinu) demanded that Yair Lapid cut off funding to groups that hold 'Nakba commemorations'

Lapid Rejects Postponing Presidential Election

"I will oppose any initiative to postpone the presidential election," declares Finance Minister.

Conflict Erupts Over Solutions to Housing Crisis

Where to invest - that is the question. Housing and Finance Ministries face off over the better solution to the housing problem.

Ariel: Lapid VAT Exemption Plan Won't Get Out of Committee

Housing Minister Uri Ariel (Jewish Home) slammed Yair Lapid's plans to 'accommodate' haredi and Arab Israelis in his VAT exemption plan.

MK Eichler: Investigate Lapid for 'Hate Crimes'

Hareidi MK attacks Finance Minister Yair Lapid, saying that he is 'guilty of hate crimes against haredi Israelis.'

Lapid Not Giving Up on Peace with PA

"We will not give up until we are separated from the Palestinians," says Yesh Atid leader at party convention.

Environment Groups Brand Eilat Railroad 'A Big Waste of Money'

Environmental groups have written to Finance Minister Yair Lapid, asking him to freeze plans for construction of a rail line to Eilat.

Lapid Offered $200K to Prove PLO Renounced Terror

William Langfan offers a contribution if the Finance Minister can place facts behind a statement that he made to defend Hamas.

Lapid: Negotiations with Hamas Could Be Possible in the Future

Yesh Atid chairman apparently backtracks on strong stance against negotiating with terror group, insists that Hamas could change.

Intel Announces Nearly $6 Billion Investment in Israeli Hi-Tech

Economics Minister hails computer chip giant's decision as perhaps the biggest investment in Israel history.

Intel to Invest 5-6 Billion Dollars in Israeli Plant

Ministers welcome plan to upgrade Intel's Kiryat Gat plant, which involves a reciprocal investment in the Israeli economy.

MKs Fume as Lapid Pulls Funds for Judea and Samaria

Yo-yo budgeting? FM pulls Housing Ministry funding, causing Jewish Home MK to rail against Finance 'circus.'

Lapid Memorializes Father at Holocaust Memorial Day Ceremony

Finance Minister chooses personal, not political, route at Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony - saying how 'Zionism was born' from the ghetto.

Why I Voted to Suspend Peace Negotiations With the PA

Approved: One-Billion Shekel Aid Package for Holocaust Survivors

Finance Ministry plan to see thousands of survivors improve their quality of life, ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day.

Hospital Staff Strike Outside Finance Minister's Home

Hadassah Medical Center controversy continues, as protestors claim the bailout process is stalling.

Centrist Minister Worried by Hamas-Fatah Deal

Finance Minister Lapid asks if Palestinian Arabs really want a state alongside Israel.

Finance Minister Gets Philosophers Mixed Up

Yair Lapid's detractors are having fun with his latest pseudo-intellectual Facebook gaffe.

In Passover Prayer, Secularist Lapid Calls for Divine Love

In a special Passover prayer posted on his Facebook page, Finance Minister Yair Lapid asked G-d to show His love for the Jewish people

Shas Won't Join Any Break Off Coalition, Deri Says

Aryeh Deri of Shas will not join a break off coalition led by Yair Lapid.

Minister Threatens to Leave 'Extreme Right' Government

Environmental Affairs Minister Amir Peretz slams Bennett for making Israel 'extreme right', calls to end sanctions against PA.

Finance Ministry Seeking to Lower Cost of Living, Food Prices

Israeli government looking to cut the profits of companies producing food subsidized by the government, in bid to make daily life easier.

Lapid 'Saves' Passover With Potato Imports

Finance Minister Yair Lapid has headed off a major Passover crisis – a shortage of potatoes –by allowing more to be imported

Lapid Calls Right 'Messianic' for Rejoicing at Stopped Talks

Abbas's new conditions scupper current peace talks according to finance minister, says only 'messianic' extreme right is rejoicing.

Lapid Promises Govt. 'Will Pay its Bills on Time'

Finance Minister Yair Lapid is out to set an example - and ease the burden on small business in Israel.

Home Prices Tumble as Buyers Wait for VAT Discount

Yair Lapid's ideas on eliminating value-added tax (VAT) payments is already bringing home prices down, as buyers hold out for a better deal.

Secularist Minister Calls to Employ Hareidim

Finance Minister Lapid says hareidim are 'industrious and intelligent workers,' urges their employment.

Left-Wing MKs Angered Over Government Funds to Judea-Samaria

Leftist MKs up in arms, accuse Finance Committee of 'lacking transparency', over allocations to Judea and Samaria.

Lapid Says Hareidim, Arabs Should Enlist if They Want Benefits

Finance Minister defends VAT discount for young couples, says state willing to sacrifice for citizens who serve the nation.

Sources: Uri Ariel, Naftali Bennett at Odds Over VAT Plan

Sources close to Uri Ariel said that he would support the plan to exempt home buyers from VAT payments only if it applied to all.

Target Price Program 'Guaranteed' to Bring Down Home Prices

Besides Yair Lapid's VAT discount, the government has another way to help make homes more affordable.