MK Yisrael Eichler warned of an “Arab rebellion” yesterday, as the Knesset Finance Committee debated the proposed 0% VAT Housing Law, which was introduced by Finance Minster Yair Lapid, Arutz Sheva reports.
The new law would grant those who served at least 18 months in the IDF to save 18% (the amount of VAT) on buying their first home valued up to 1.6 million shekels (almost $500,000). The law hit opposition in that Arab citizens and those who do not serve in the IDF initially were to be excluded – now they receive the exemption for homes valued up to 950,000 shekels.
Eichler lambasted the law, saying in the Knesset meeting “if you don’t have respect for Jews, have respect for Arabs.”
“The state which is at war with the Arabs needed to avoid joining the 1.2 million Arab citizens to the violent Arab rebellion by (passing) blatantly discriminatory laws,” charged Eichler, according to Arutz Sheva. “Let it be clear what you’re doing. Instead of showing that the ‘only democracy in the area’ does not discriminate between Jews and Arabs, you’re demanding on a racial background that Arabs pay a higher VAT to fund their enemies, the settler Zionists.”
“Don’t expect loyalty to ‘apartheid’ laws like these for VAT. You will bear the responsibility for joining 1.2 million Arabs to the next Arab rebellion.” Don’t be surprised that there will be shootings on Highway Six from buildings in adjacent Arab cities G-d forbid. Do you want a ground entry to (the Israeli-Arab city of) Umm al-Fahm to be like (one) to Gaza? Who knows what the consequences of this madness will be.”
{Matzav.com Israel News Bureau}
A ridiculous argument. It’s a discount for those that served the country. Sounds reasonable enough. For their service they get rewards.