Yaron Zelekha, co-chairman of the Reservists-Economic Party, promised to rapidly reduce Israel's cost of living while criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday at a press conference in Modi'in, where he presented his party's economic plan.
“The reason Netanyahu attacks me is that he knows that once I become finance minister, the public will realize that life here could have been cheaper over the past twenty years,” Zelekha said.
“Netanyahu sold the economy to monopolies and extortionists, and I will take it back. The choice isn't 'Bibi or not Bibi'; it is between the alliance of capital and power and your children," he added.
Zelekha also challenged Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and former prime minister Naftali Bennett to a debate on economic policy, arguing that "politicians beholden to tycoons who finance their election campaigns would be unable to tackle the cost of living."
Zelekha plans for economic reforms as finance minister
In an interview with The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday, Zelekha warned he would take down any government that prevented him from implementing his economic reforms.
“If anyone gets in my way, I will bring down their government,” he told the Post, adding that he would demand control of the Finance Ministry and the Competition Authority during coalition negotiations.
Zelekha said he would insist on having the authority to implement his economic program regardless of whether Netanyahu, Bennett, or Gadi Eisenkot becomes prime minister, and would be prepared to bring down the government if his efforts were obstructed.
“Within three months from the day I take my seat, you will not recognize the country,” Zelekha said, outlining a five-point plan aimed at reducing living costs by increasing competition and removing barriers to imports.
His proposed measures include abolishing all tariffs, eliminating import quotas, and preventing domestic manufacturers that hold monopolistic positions from also serving as importers.
He also promised to prohibit exclusive import agreements and prevent importers representing one major international manufacturer from securing control over imports from another manufacturer that would otherwise compete with it.
Zelekha further told the Post he would transfer the Competition Authority to the Finance Ministry, placing it under his supervision so that he could oversee enforcement of competition law.
Shir Perets contributed to this report.