Shahar Turjeman presents: How I defeated the 'arrogant' Finance Minister

Shahar Turjeman, president of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce, attacks Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in an interview with Globes, calling him 'arrogant'. Turjeman was among the leaders of the campaign to cancel the expansion of the VAT exemption and claims that importers and retailers are not responsible for the high cost of living, but rather the heavy regulation and high costs.

Shahar Turjeman, president of the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce and chairman of Brill, gives an interview to Globes and attacks Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, whom he calls 'arrogant'. Turjeman was among the leaders of the campaign against expanding the VAT exemption on orders from abroad, a move Smotrich sought to promote. According to Turjeman, the minister wanted to 'gather votes' and the exemption does not address the main cost-of-living factors such as real estate, transportation, and food. Turjeman claims that importers and retailers are not responsible for the high cost of living, and that their margins are identical to those abroad. He criticizes excessive regulation, including pre-firing hearing procedures and price marking, and calls for a reexamination of obligations imposed on employers. The article notes that Turjeman is identified with the interests of large retail chains and not always with small business owners.