Treasury chief: Boosting Arab and Haredi employment would make Israel rich

You said ?Israel would be among the world's richest nations if Arabs and ultra-orthodox Jews could be brought into the economy, Israel's top treasury official said on Wednesday.? Yes, they need to be brought into the economy, and the way to do this is to shake them out of their little taxpayer-subsidised cocoon. Level the playing fields by simply using the principle of absolute equality; do away with subsidising their private school education system, their reliance on social welfare, their virtual exemption from national service/conscription. Most importantly, make coalition deals that privilege the Haredi sector at the expense of the general public against the law. We can bring them into the economy within a single generation, simply by doing away with their special treatment on all fronts.

Without providing figures for the current participation rates for the charedi or Arab populations, this article is useless.

Somehow every one of you muslims neglect to mention the rockets from Gaza.( among other atrocities that is your 'specialty') If you can't take responsibility for that, what else do you neglect to take responsibility for? How many Muslim kids have died as suicide martyrs murdering others? How many '$25,000.00 death awards for dead pals and dead Israeli's have they collected while blaming Israel ? The worst child abusers in the world are muslims who push their offspring to die for them in vain, while blaming Israel. Like the nut who says,"the devil made me do it" or, in this case, the parents of the dead kids. See the problem No? We do.

See if any other place is any different or better for the soul, ( assuming you have one) than Israel.

Yes, and to prove your point, let's look at how well Arabs are doing economically in countries around Israel, where there are no Jews to oppress them. In Syria, Jordan, Egypt... everywhere Arabs are so much better off economically than they are in Israel, right?

"As an example in construction business. Try to give jobs to Israeli Arabs and you`ll see the results. At the end you`ll regret to give to give jobs to Israeli Arabs." Aby sounds like a strange name to this land, yet you have the Chutzpa to use such a wide brush to paint all Israeli Arabs with your racist brush. Imagine if someone in Europe/USA said that depositing money with Jews is a good way to loose your money (remember Madoff?). Would you object to such racist (anti-semitic?) statement? What's sad is that people like you who came from supposedly civilized countries, where you "appeared" to your neighbors as a liberal and progressive person, and come here to show your true racist colors!

Who are these qualified Arabs that are not employed in Israel? Could you give the names here. If he / she doesn't find a job, its not because he's an Arab, it is because of shortage of jobs. I could name for evey Arab, 5 Jews is in search of jobs. Don't make me laugh. If you have the talent the job is yours, it doesn't make any difference for an Israeli business. Aby

a Secretary of economics. I'm sure in a year the economy of Israel would boost with your expertise. In a every subject you're an expert. Your conclusions are full of laughter. How can you be an expert on Israeli economics without knowing nothing. As an example in construction business. Try to give jobs to Israeli Arabs and you'll see the results. At the end you'll regret to give to give jobs to Israeli Arabs. "Not being aware , Sily" Silly? Aha You are being aware ! who is silly? Dandy first learn what's going here then comment. Aby

No, the rich will only get richer and the poor poorer. Israel is run by a total of 10 families... that's right 10! Companies would rather give $$ to charities then raises to employees because they get tax discounts. The only way to do this would be to decrease taxes but the gov't does not want to do that. They need to charge high taxes to give to the defense establishment where people make small fortunes. The gov't does not want to make peace because they love to tax. The gov't can not stand that the people will have cash, freedom and ability to make their own decisions. The gov't wants all of the control and what better way to do that then tax them for their safety!

"If we could bring them into the labor market we would benefit twice over," Mr. Shani, how many Arabs are employed by the Treasury? There are qualified Arabs with financial academic backgrounds, with higher grade averages than their classmates, but who can't find employment because of their ethnic background. Start with your own office and implement a fair employment policy to correct the current situation.

"Haredim refuse to work- as do Arab women." You obviously don't leave your beloved Tel-Aviv to see that most Arab women work in all walks of life - attorneys, nurses, doctors, private businesses, and at universities. "As for Arab men, most prefer seasonal, manual labor and get paid in cash when they do work". Are you serious? Don't you see Arab men doctors in top Tel-Aviv hospitals? Professors at Tel-Aviv Universities? Bankers and CPAs in some of the largest Tel-Aviv financial institutions? In Interior Ministry offices, tax authorities, etc? Not being aware of these facts indicates the level of your intelligence. And as far as paying taxes - Arabs pay more taxes and get less services than any Jewish group! I challenge you to provide sources for your silly assumptions, and I urge you to get out of your whole in Tel-Aviv to see the country. Start by visiting the Technion and meet some of the brightest Arab Professors who work with the most advanced technologies around.

The 2 groups mentioned are in their current position due to decades of government failure to identify the problem. I can understand the 5th collumn suspicion held against the Arabs, and it was/is unfortunate that the innocent amongst them had to suffer. Hopefully their plight might soon be over. The haredi are a different story. They are 18th century people living in the 21st century. That they have been allowed to remain in this myopic and backward state for so long is an offence to the country. Their failure to adapt and modernise, while retaining the religion in the face of Christian hostility was one of the reason for our persecution in Europe over centuries. They have taken advantage of the state long enough. while I admire them for carrying the flame of our ancient and noble religion on behalf of the majority of us that are less observant, all of us would be much better off. The good lord doesnt require his people to live in poverty.

Haredim refuse to work- as do Arab women. As for Arab men, most prefer seasonal, manual labor and get paid in cash when they do work (which is why the statistics on the number of Arab men working is so low- they do NOT declare taxes!). These groups need to be coerced to work and to pay taxes when they do!

for peaceand "quiet." At least, it can not hurt.

Some of the most successful people in Latin America are Jews, Palestinians, Lebanese, and Syrians. What do they all have in common? An Aramaic, Canaanite, and Jewish heritage. They are known for being merchants. If the state of war could end they could all have higher GDP's instead of killing each other. Religion is, however, used as a tool with the fight over Jerusalem rather than finding a way to find a way to please the three religions.

"Treasury chief: Boosting Arab and Haredi employment would make Israel rich" - Haaretz These are two different problems and involve two different populations. Israeli Arabs are actively prevented from being financially successful the Haredi are a welfare class who are subsidized to not have jobs. It is impossible to compare those prevented from having an economic future with those who are provided welfare to avoid their need to support themselves.

the Haredi community and to a lesser degree the Arab one are relatively insulated. People believe that they are lazy/dont want to work. That is not the case they simply want to do it within their circles and with their values that often contradicts with the structure of the secular/ Tel-aviv business world. But if you create laws and programs, allowing them to create their own companies in their own communities you will see an explosion of growth. Top it off with funds to cut down operation costs such as business incubators in their communities and subsidized high-speed internet and Israel will be first class in no time.

Well I am sure the arabs want to work. Not too sure about the Haredi but they may send their women to work.

finally!!! someone who thinks about peaceful solutions rather than war. bless the israeli treasury chief for his idea to include arabs and haredi's into israeli economy. i have been advocating the establishment of a middle east economic union (meeu) that over time will far surpass the european union. why? because these two semetic peoples have a history of making things happen--even in the worst of times--so i pray that sensible minds prevail and the lieberman's and netanyahu's are brushed aside to allow for a different way to achieve progress for both people. bless you treasury chief and may you multiply!!!

The best way for socio-economic integration of Israel's communities, is doing away with the three-pronged education system. Instead create a singular, national, secular Hebrew education with mandatory Arabic and English language instruction. (any religious instruction may instead be offered in after-school programs). This is the best way to ensure social harmony and will best prepare all of Israel's citizens for university and business with Israel's neighbors and the world.