MK Idan Roll addressed the issue of transferring funds to the Palestinian Authority this morning (Thursday) and argued that payments to Abu Mazen should be stopped.
Roll is joining Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's demand that he has announced he will not transfer the monthly payment to the Palestinians. According to him: "Anyone who initiates attacks does so because they want to destroy the 'Zionist enemy,' and they will do it even if crates of money are poured on them. It's time we stop repeating those mistakes and act like a country that values life."
The solution: promotion of the program of importing foreign workers
Idan Roll emphasized the importance of reducing dependence on the Palestinian Authority and mentioned the need to promote the import of foreign workers from abroad. "The solution is not to transfer money to the Palestinians. What should we do? Reduce the Israeli economy's dependence on the security situation in general, and on the Palestinian Authority in particular."
According to Roll: "Let's be realistic, in Israel, around 150,000 Palestinians work (and there is still a shortage of tens of thousands of workers), and many employers may choose not to hire them in the future. Instead of ignoring the problem and waiting for the real estate market to crash along with the entire economy, we need to act quickly and creatively."
He further added that "the government should immediately promote a plan to bring in foreign workers on an unprecedented scale (much broader than the current one), from a variety of countries (yes, it will require agreements with additional countries beyond the existing ones). We need to consider countries that may be cheaper. And, of course, provide incentives to small employers who, without assistance, will struggle to bear the cost of foreign workers who require accommodation."
In conclusion, he wrote, "Could this potentially create a problem for the Palestinian Authority? It's possible. But acting out of fear does not prevent the problem, and certainly does not serve our deterrence. This is the right thing for a self-sufficient and stable economy, and if other problems arise, we will find solutions for them as well."