Netanyahu’s casino plan faces strong opposition

Moshe Kahlon, Israel’s Minister of Finance has attacked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to open a casino in Eilat.

Israel.- Minister of Finance Moshe Kahlon has attacked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to open a casino in Eilat. “The State of Israel does not need casinos. It needs to provide education, values, and jobs, not a casino,” he said. In the past, Kahlon has avoided direct confrontation on the issue, replying to reporters, “Everyone knows there will not be a casino here.”

Netanyahu has appointed Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin to lead a commission to explore the possibility of opening a gambling establishment in the southernmost Israeli city of Eilat.

Kahlon’s comments come after the Ministry of Finance began taking steps against gambling ventures, specifically those targeting the poor, such as slot machines.

“Last week we decided to put an end to slot machines and horse races, gambling activities that ruin families,” Kahlon said. These machines are placed in poor neighborhoods to sell them illusions and hopes while taking money out of their pockets. Sadly, this has been going on since 2003, it has been talked about for years and we decided to take action; soon we’ll remove them, and Mifal HaPayis can scrap them as far as I’m concerned.”