BREAKING NEWS

Kahlon dares Netanyahu to find funding for public broadcasting

Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon (Kulanu) struck back at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Monday for his plan to cancel the formation of the new Israel Broadcasting Corporation.
In his first public comments on the plan, Kahlon told the Knesset Finance Committee that he would consider accepting the plan with two hard to reach conditions: Netanyahu must ensure strong public broadcasting and find a budget for it without cutting from government ministries.
"Behind the numbers, there are people who could lose their jobs," Kahlon said. "We don't like playing with people. Knowing where I came from, I cannot throw out millions. I know the value of a shekel, let alone hundreds of millions. My job is to watch over the public coffers."
Kahlon vowed to use his veto power over expenditures higher than NIS 10 million that is guaranteed in the coalition agreement. He said cancelling the Israel Broadcasting Corporation would cost hundreds of millions in shekels and an additional NIS 1.7 billion in property.
"If I have to use my veto, I will," Kahlon said. "I am not avoiding conflict. I am not hiding. I came to my ministry to solve problems."