Lapid: Middle class collapsing, government got to go

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
30 Apr 2024 15:55
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The leader of the opposition in the Israeli occupation government, Yair Lapid, says that if the current government in 'Israel' does not resign, prices will continue to rise.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, meets with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, not pictured, in 'Israel', on February 8, 2024. (AP)

The leader of the opposition in the Israeli government, Yair Lapid, stated that prices in "Israel" are rising, warning of the collapse of the middle class.

Through platform X, Lapid expressed that "prices are rising, and the middle class is collapsing," adding that "the current government is costing us dearly; if it does not step down, prices will continue to rise."

In this context, Israeli media reported an imminent wave of price increases starting tomorrow, noting that "in addition to the rising price of gasoline, which will increase again in May, government-regulated dairy products have become more expensive, with a long list of increases in food and cleaning product prices set to take effect."

Days ago, "Israel's" Channel Kan cited a senior source in the government's Ministry of Finance stating, "If the war continues, there is no choice but to raise taxes."

The source confirmed that the Israeli Ministry of Finance is considering raising taxes soon to finance the expenses of the war on Gaza.

This comes within the framework of the ongoing erosion of the Israeli economy since October 7, 2023, revealing the collapse of the notion of the Israeli economy's immunity to the impact of wars, amid rising government expenses, declining imports, decreasing exports, factory closures, and the collapse of the tourism sector, both domestically and internationally.

This economic contraction has been reflected in several indicators, including the continuous depreciation of the "shekel" and the downgrade of the government's credit rating by the American agency Moody's.

Large number of fronts is a problem for 'Israel': Ex-Shin Bet chief

Israeli media reported that the former head of the Shin Bet, Yaakov Peri, said the existence of several fronts against "Israel" poses a problem for the latter amid internal political division and government instability.

In an interview with the Israeli newspaper Maariv, Peri said that "Israel" is fighting on a large number of fronts adding that it will not be able to find a solution or decision any time soon on any of them.

Addressing the battles on the Northern Front, Peri labeled them as very difficult and concerning emphasizing that in the current situation, it does not seem like a solution can be found, and going to war would pose a bigger problem.

The former head of the Shin Bet said that the level of operations in the West Bank and al-Quds has been increasing stressing that this constitutes a worrying and problematic front.

Peri also reminded me of the front with Yemen and the dangers in the Red Sea as well as the security issues in Eilat/Umm al-Rashrash and Southern-occupied Palestine. He also stressed that this was the first time "we witnessed" a direct clash with Iran.