Israeli nismanagement

NIS is for New Israeli Shekel.

Four news items caught my attention today:

1. Israel approved transferring 100,000 NIS to Gaza (Hamas leadership) due to its cash flow problems.
2. Holocaust restitution fund spends NIS 30m of survivors' money on itself.
3. Diplomats ordered to cut costs by flying coach class.
4. The Israeli economy has stopped growing.

While it was thought that Israel would escape the effects of the global economic downturn, in large part the result of an earlier bank and financial overhaul, it's clear that all economies connected to the global economic community and especially the American economy will suffer. The credit crunch has come to Israel.

The idea that Israel would be willing to transfer funds to pay the salaries of the Hamas bureaucracy especially in light of its diplomatic and economic embargo/closure is mind boggling. I thought the goal was to pressure Hamas and the Gaza people to end its existence and return political authority to the Palestinian Authority (Abbas). While withholding humanitarian aid--food, fuel and medical supplies--is verboten, how can Israel justify supporting a government that it deems illegitimate. A political entity that (a) continues to hold Gilad Shalit (nearly 900 days!) without allowing anyone to see him and verify his life status and (b) continues to bomb southern Israel (from Sedrot to the Ashkelon/Kiryat Gat area). What was Ehud Barak (Minister of Defence and Chair of the Labour Party) thinking? Both issues require resolution before even one agura is sent to Hamas. Gilat Shalit must be returned to Israel immediately and if Hamas is genuinely interested in peace the bombing must stop. If not, Israel should (a) withhold all funds and (b) plan for a quick military strike against Hamas strongholds and its leadership.

Government at its worst is at play with the other two issues. That diplomats (vice deputy directors right now) have the right to fly business or first class is beyond me. The time has come for all government employees to fly the least expensive way possible. They're flying on my (income tax + other taxes) tab. Unless everyone is entitled to fly business class, then let's save the section for those who are paying their own way.

The Israeli government in general and specifically the Holocaust restitution fund has dragged its feet for too long. The status of the remaining survivors is dire, they need to live their final years in dignity and not in dire poverty and shame. It seems that official bodies are waiting for them to die and then pocketing the money for themselves. Israeli history seems full of discrimination and insensitivity towards the scars and concerns of the holocaust survivors. The time is long overdue to reverse the trend and give them their dignity.