(via Jpost). Former prime minister Ehud Olmert called Labor Party's economic platform "superficial populism" at an economic conference on Sunday.
"A
month and a half before the election, we see politicians saying 'hurt
business and save the economy.' It's popular, and if you say take money
from the rich, it's even more popular," he said. "There is no economic
growth in a country without vibrant businesses that have a chance of
earning money."
Olmert slammed Yecimovich's plan
proposing an annual NIS 28 billion increase in the deficit over the
next five years. "These proposals are superficial populism and irresponsible," he stated.
Labor
responded to the criticism, saying it does not hate the rich and
encourages business, works to increase competition in the market and
help most Israeli citizens.
"It is not coincidental that Olmert,
who over years connected the rich to the government and led hundreds of
millions of shekels to flow into the pockets of the rich, is now
standing by them," a party spokesman said. "As someone convicted of
breach of trust and who kept envelopes of dollars on him, Olmert should
avoid speaking about these topics and disappear from Israeli public
life."
