Netanyahu convenes Cabinet to discuss proposed budget, protest outside
(13 May 2013) 1. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at cabinet meeting 2. SOUNDBITE (Hebrew) Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister: "I believe that the most important thing today is that the government will approve the budget. In terms of Israel's national needs, during the world economic crisis, it's important the state of Israel will approve the budget. A decision about the defence budget will allow us to approve the budget. We will do it today. At the end of the day the State of Israel will have a budget " 3. Mid of Moshe Ya'alon, Defence Minister (on right with back to camera) and Finance Minister Yair Lapid 4. Pan left of cabinet meeting 5. Mid of Netanyahu and others walking down corridor 6. Wide of protesters demonstrating against the proposed tax hikes and benefit cuts 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Danny Makeover, protester: "I am here because the decision of the government is wrong. Less tourists will come here and eventually less money for (the) state so it's a wrong decision apparently." 8. Wide of demonstrators STORYLINE Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday promised that the country would have a budget in place by the end of the day. "I believe that the most important thing today is that the government will approve the budget," he said as he convened a Cabinet meeting. "In terms of Israel's national needs, during the world economic crisis, it's important the state of Israel will approve the budget." Discussions will centre on proposals from new Finance Minister Yair Lapid, who ran in January's budget on a ticket vowing to help the middle class. But the proposed budget hits that demographic deep in their pockets with raised taxes and slashed benefits. Lapid, responsible for curbing an alarming deficit of nearly 11 (b) billion US dollars is also seeking to cut some 1.12 (b) billion from the Defence Ministry's budget. "A decision about the defence budget will allow us to approve the budget. We will do it today. At the end of the day the State of Israel will have a budget," Netanyahu said. Demonstrators gathered outside the meeting to protest against proposed tax hikes and benefit cuts. "I am here because the decision of the government is wrong," said one protester. Some voters feel betrayed as the cuts appeared contrary to a central part of Lapid's popular campaign. Lapid has said the measures are vital for a healthy economy and cuts are across the board. In 2011, hundreds of thousands of people protested across Israel over the high cost of living. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
