Dror Feuer, in Globes, says that Moshe Gafni should be appointed Finance Minister in the next government, no matter who leads it.
After a nice introduction about the haredim and haredi politicians, which I won't translate but you should read anyway if the Hebrew does not scare you off, Feuer gets to the point.
Feuer says:
1. The Haredim are not classified as socialists, but they have a healthy and intuitive version of socialism as part of them; mutual responsibility, concern for the weak, respect for the poor. they know poverty. It does not mean they will be able to deal with it any better than anyone else, but at least they did not just read about it in the newspaper. Compassion and kindness are at the top of their traits.
2. the concept of "shliach tzibbur" runs deep in the Haredi community. In the prayers on Shabbos there is a nice blessing for those who serve the public faithfully, and at the end it is stressed that all Jews are their brothers.
3. one of the critical problems in the Israeli economy is the priority given to wealth and to the wealthy. All under the guise of "market forces", competition and removing impediments. That exists as well by the Haredim, but the difference is significant: on their list of values wealthy is not the best thing that you can be.
4. Their persistence, ability to learn, their love for the small print, their pedantry, their scholarliness. I want the Finance Minister to delve deeply into things - and there is nobody better than a graduate of a yeshiva to delve deeply into things - into the smallest details of the most remote footnote in the tenth addendum of the most hidden budgetary item. That he should inspect the budget and plow through it like a page of gemara. Wow, how much I'd like to see a Haredi Minister of Finance sit opposite the Ministry of Defense when they come asking for their annual increase and they spread their usual scare tactics. I think there will be far less secret expenses.
5. In this context the word "haredim" calms me. It is always good to know that there is always someone more anxious and worried than you, and I believe that healthy anxiousness is a necessary trait of a good Finance Minister.
6. Because we have never yet had one.
The Feuer continues and says, without offending anyone, what does the Finance Minister need? He needs knowledge and understanding of the material, but no less than that he needs a healthy sense of logic, and a heart in the right place. And a conscious. And I am sure this an be found in a Haredi Finance Minister that would be appointed, and then Feuer suggests that be Moshe Gafni.
Feuer says, there are MKs who are more social than him, but there are none others like him. Gafni's seniority (21 years in knesset), his healthy sense of humor, his sharp wit, the respect accorded to him by everyone in the Knesset, and the courage he has displayed until now, all these make him my candidate.
Gafni said, "I am for a free market, but also for giving assistance in education, in health and in welfare. Not everything is dependent on the free market. I am in favor of competition that will bring a benefit to the public. While on the other hand the State cannot absolve itself of its obligations to its citizens." Who does not agree with that?Not a grain sticks to him. Gafni is a a sensitive legislator, social and environmental. I looked through his legislation and I get the feeling that he is fighting for me. Also for his own community, obviously, and that is fine. You can find him involved in the fight about the natural gas, in the fight for aggressive tax planning, against the "haircuts" (cutting the loans for the tycoons in trouble), and against the way contractors are dealt with, he fights for lessening the management fees, for limiting wages of senior administrators. He is in favor of small businesses and helps the periphery, and supports the weak. He knows how to work in a team, and diplomatically is a moderate person.
What else can you say? Moshe Gafni could be a good choice for the next Finance Minister of the State of Israel.
That is a pretty good compliment, in the leading financial newspaper in Israel.
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