Weekly Commentary: Netanyahu Needs Acceptable Carrots To Save Economy If
Yields To Hareidi Demands
Dr. Aaron Lerner 14 August, 2022

Binyamin Netanyahu is well aware that if Hareidi boys aren't taught English
and math so that they are equipped with the basic knowledge needed to
acquire the work skills needed to be productive workers and Hareidi men
don't participate in the labor force that we face economic disaster.

But to win over the support of the Hareidi parties Mr. Netanyahu is ready to
pull the only "carrot" to encourage Hareidi institutions to teach English
and math: full versus partial school funding.

And now Shas leader Deri is effectively talking about a stick to punish
Hareidi families where the father works on the books by introducing food
stamps limited to families with the low incomes that a family typically will
exceed if both the husband and wife work on the books.

To be clear: this isn't some kind of cultural war to somehow collapse
Hareidi society by giving Haredi boys English and math skills.

Its our country which could face economic collapse in the years to come if a
substantial segment of the population lacks the skills needed to be
productive workers or opts not to work altogether.

On the other hand. barring an incredible surprise at the polls, Binyamin
Netanyahu will need the support of all of the Hareidi parties to become
prime minister.

The question is if Netanyahu can come up with the "carrots" to induce
Hareidi boys to learn English and Math and Hareidi men to go to work.

"Carrots" which would be acceptable to his Hareidi partners.

I daresay that if he unveiled such a program before we go to the polls that
it would make a huge contribution towards a Likud victory.

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