Lapid slams Yachimovich over settlement funding

Yesh Atid chairman criticizes Labor leader's remarks on settlement funding. 'Yachimovich is endorsing taking money from middle class to settlements that won't be part of Israel in future peace deal,' he says

Attila Somfalvi|Published: 12.18.12 , 13:58

Yesh Atid Chairman Yair Lapid slammed Labor's Shelly Yachimovich on Tuesday following her statements on settlement funding.

"Yachimovich is effectively endorsing taking tax money from the Israeli middle class to settlements which will not be part of the State of Israel in a future agreement. It's irresponsible," he said at Ynet's TV studio.

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On Monday, Yachimovich said, "You can't treat the residents of settlements established legally and in accordance with government decisions as criminals. You can't erase human beings. The government is responsible for caring for the children there."

Lapid said in response, "Of course you can't erase people, but what have we seen? Since the establishment of the Netanyahu government, settlement investment rose by 38%. Seeing as the number of settlers did not rise by 38%, there has been an increase in settlement investment including for those that will not be included in a future settlement, at the Israeli middle class' expense."

Yachimovich came under fire on Monday over her remarks, drawing criticism from Tzipi Livni, Meretz's Zahava Gal-On as well as the Likud.

Discussing his ambitions for the upcoming elections, Lapid said he didn’t care what portfolio he would get and added he is focused on "the five promises I gave."

"I want equal share of the burden, I want housing for young couples who served in the military, I want an education revolution." He further stated the lowering of the cost of living and the minimizing of the government from 35 to 18 ministers as part of his commitments to voters.

Asked about his economic vision, Lapid said that there are three necessary mechanisms for growth: the employment of the ultra-Orthodox male, small businesses and smaller government.

Asked about possible future alliances, he replied, "I won't join a government that will not work to change the government system and limit the number of ministers to 18."