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International Viewpoint #298
14 result of land privatisation. The proposed budget would also channel 300 million NIS into subsidies and benefits for the settlements, as well as promising a 10% increase in real terms to the Religious Affairs Ministry budget (53% of which goes to assist yeshiva students).
Indeed, the recent strike also revealed some worrying signs [about the "New Right" in Israel]. During the recent strike, the walls of Jerusalem were plastered with posters an ad hoc right- wing-group, Mateh, calling for the breaking of the strike, the purpose of which was "bring down against the nationalist government. "Up till now, the Israeli Right has been characterised by nationalism on the political level, and populism or conservativism on the social level. The traditional Right in Israel was able to link the nationalist ideology of the "whole land of Israel" and at least giving the appearance of social concern for the people of Israel. Now Maamatz has adopted a new approach which makes a very explicit connection between radical nationalism and opposition to workers' organisations. The correct name for such an approach is: fascism. The silent left
The right to strike is not guaranteed by law in Israel. The state has the right to issue orders forcing workers who wish to work to remain on the job, and can even petition the courts to have a strike declared illegal. During the recent strike, the government not only used these possibilities, but Tel Aviv mayor Ronnie Milo [(who is known as a Likud "dove" on political matters, but is quite definitely social hawk)], even hired thugs to beat striking garbage workers. Like Prime Minister Rabin faced with Palestinian youth, Milo ordered the breaking of bones. If the pictures of Milo's thugs had been broadcast from the occupied territories, the Israeli Left would have organised protests. But in this case, it was silent. * Notes 1 See: "Privatisation: Eight Lessons of Experience (2)." World Bank Policy Bulletin, Volume 3, No. 4 (AugustOctober, 1992). 2 Maxime Durand, "The Neoliberal Assault on the Public Sector," International Viewpoint, January 1998. 3. Most of the economics commentators in the press supported Ne'eman; and the Labour Party leader, Ehud Barak, refrained from expressing any support for the Histadrut..
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