Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., August 19, 2008 Av 18, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:24 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Cabinet refuses to follow Bar-On budget By Rotem Sella and Tal Levy Tags: Finance Ministry, Roni Bar-On Finance Minister Roni Bar-On and the treasury planned that the discussion at yesterday morning's cabinet meeting would be about whether to cut the defense budget or the social-welfare budgets. However, the cabinet did not dance to the treasury's tune, and the discussion quickly turned into one that focused on enlarging the 2009 budget spending framework. In his attempt to make the ministers take responsibility for the painful cuts to their own ministries, Bar-On failed to take into account the possibility that two of his coalition partners raised: loosening the spending reins. The Labor Party and Shas both ignored his proposals and came up with their own: enlarging the increase in government spending planned for next year by 2.5%, instead of the treasury's proposed 1.7% rise. The Pensioners also joined in. The 2009 budget debate is being conducted under the political cloud of the Kadima primary and the uncertain future of the present government. This has made approval of the budget even more difficult than usual. Advertisement Bar-On warned not to let politics influence the country's economy. "In the last few months we have worked hard to isolate the Israeli economy from the political game. Do not break this rule and do not turn Israel's economic policies into an instrument for factional taunting." Prime Minister Ehud Olmert actually called on Kadima ministers in to oppose the 2009 budget. Labor also opposed the proposed budget, arguing that the suggested cuts would harm the weaker sectors of society. Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz also opposed the proposed budget, and wants all discussions related to it to be postponed until after Kadima's primary, scheduled for mid-September. Mofaz believes the winner will be given an opportunity to form a government and to exert influence over determining the budget's framework. The request for a delay stems from a desire to leave the budget open for discussion so as to allow greater flexibility in talks with prospective coalition partners. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is eager to see the government approve the budget before the primary, which would in essence limit the "extortion ability" of parties. Bookmark to del.icio.us   A second chance Parents shocked to see their baby breathing moments before she was to be buried. Kafka the Zionist Remnants of Kafka's estate found in T.A. raise questions of his belief in Zionism.

Read & React Iran claims its new warplanes can reach Israel without refueling Responses: 219 Livni helps get Israeli ID card for daughter of top Palestinian official Responses: 52 Egypt to Hamas: Stop blocking Shalit deal Responses: 29 Editorial: Israel must do what it can to stay on Fatah's good side Responses: 26 Akiva Eldar: Israel can't survive on just military strength Responses: 27 Itamar Rabinovitch: Is Russia becoming the Iran of Europe? Responses: 26 More Headlines 23:45 Report: Syria test fires series of long-range missiles 01:20 Security officials voice mixed reactions to Iranian satellite launch 20:52 Israel publishes names of 199 Palestinian prisoners slated for release 01:06 Baby pronunced dead comes back to life minutes before burial 00:06 From Australia to Israel, on a footballing peace mission 22:38 Israel Factor: Panel doesn't worry about Obama on Israel-Palestine 00:28 IDF commander kept in post 3 months after accused of raping mentally challenged volunteer 17:21 Russian troops begin withdrawing from Georgia 23:47 IDF magazine: Soon wounded soldiers will be evacuated by unmanned vehicles 14:39 'Kafka's lifelong dream was to make aliyah' 19:40 In village with no power, Bedouin family fights to keep baby's respirator working 17:46 IDF troops foil smuggling of illicit drugs from Lebanon 21:32 Disabled Israeli turtle uses skateboard to get around Previous Editions Select Day 18 aug 17 aug 15 aug 14 aug 13 aug 12 aug 11 aug 10 aug 08 aug 07 aug 06 aug 05 aug

Special Offers Advertisement Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Isaac Maimon at Dreamshoppe Special summer sale. Make an offer now. You will be surprised. MBA in Israel in English APPLY NOW! Limited spaces available Israel's Premier Real Estate Website www. israel-property.com Yossi Avrahami Presents: New Luxurious Projects in North Tel Aviv & Eilat Your vacation starts here Israel Travel Center Guaranteed Lowest Rates Hebrew Summer courses From $39.95 ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel

birthright Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved