Knesset approves preliminary reading of Housing Law

Bill proposed by Shas MK Yitzhak Vaknin will provide subsidized mortgages to those living in peripheral areas.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
galilee housing 248 (photo credit: Courtesy)
galilee housing 248
(photo credit: Courtesy)
The Knesset on Wednesday unanimously approved a preliminary reading of MK Yitzhak Vaknin’s Housing Law proposed by Shas.
The law will provide subsidized mortgages to those living in peripheral areas.
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Fifty-eight MKs supported the the bill, with no opposition.
Rabbi Uri Regev, the head of Hiddush – For Religious Freedom and Equality said in reaction to the decision that "under the guise of a social law, the haredi parties are trying to pass a law to give 'free mortgages to Yeshiva students.'"
"This law will not reduce poverty, instead it will create a poverty trap for haredim in the periphery," he continued.
"In most places that the law will affect there are no sources of employment and it appears as though they are planned to guarantee that the Yeshiva students that want to work will not be able to find jobs, and that goes against the national interest," he added.
In December, United Torah Judaism’s threatened not to support the budget unless housing benefits which primarily aid haredi families are included.
The party demanded mortgage refunds of up to NIS 800 per month for homebuyers in the periphery.


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