In the shadow of the widespread public protest that arose following the news of the cancellation of the tax on sugary drinks, it turns out that the new finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, asked the senior officials in the treasury to examine a broader and more inclusive tax on unhealthy food, which would replace the specific tax on drinks. This is reported this morning (Wed) Adrian Pilot In “Calcalist”.
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According to the report, the Tax Authority has already prepared the order canceling the tax on disposable dishes, but the order canceling the tax on sweet drinks has not yet been prepared. Finance officials quoted in the news said that the delay is “technical” since it is a more complex tax. At the meeting held by the new minister in his office, the finance officials asked to reconsider the decision to cancel the tax, since it has been proven to be extremely effective and in view of the sad fact that Israel ranks first in the West in amputations due to diabetes.
According to OECD data, amputation of lower limbs among adults reached a peak of 17.6 per 100,000 people – 2.75 times compared to the organization’s average of 6.4. Smotrich, who is obliged to abolish the taxes because of the coalition agreements, understands that the abolition is economically and medically incorrect. Therefore, these days, senior officials of the budget department at the Ministry of Finance are working on a solution that will satisfy the ultra-orthodox parties and also benefit the citizens and keep them away from harmful food that causes illness.
“The decision of the incoming finance minister is an unfortunate, unfortunate and blind decision,” wrote the doctors of the Public Health Association in a harsh and harsh message against him. According to them, “Sweet drinks cause diabetes, which is the number one cause of blindness and kidney damage to the point of needing dialysis, limb amputations, serious illnesses and the death of many Israelis, and therefore it is justified to tax them, as is accepted in the world. The meaning of the decision is that more Israelis will suffer from blindness, stroke, kidney failure and cardiac events due to diabetes and obesity.”
The doctors further claimed that “a reasonable and responsible Minister of Finance will make sure to convene a meeting with the professional level in the Ministries of Finance and Health to discuss the issue before making a decision that will harm the entire population in Israel.” Now it seems that the new Minister of Finance has accepted the recommendation of public health doctors.