| Privatization of government controlled companies, a key aspect of
the government's economic agenda, has steadily progressed
forward since the beginning of the government's term in mid-1996.
Revenues from privatization in 1997 rose to $2.4 billion (NIS 8.5
billion or almost twice the forecasted NIS 4.3 billion for the same
year). The Netanyahu Government has brought in more than thirty
times the level of privatization revenues than the previous
government. The government is also using the proceeds from its privatization policy to cover the budget deficit rather than using it to finance new spending projects. Privatization of banks in 1997, for instance that of controlling interest in Israel's largest bank, Bank Hapoalim, and of more shares in Israel Discount Bank, worked well after having been bogged down the previous year. A further tranche [a series of bonds] of Israel Chemical's shares were sold, as were shares in Bezeq - Israel Telecom, Yozma Venture Capital funds, and the Israel National Oil Company. During 1998, the government shares, full or partial holdings, in the following corporations are scheduled to be sold to the private sector: Bank Leumi, Bank Mizrachi, Afridar Construction, and various smaller companies involved in regional development projects. |
The Case Agianst Israel's Enemies by Alan Dershowitz 
Coming from England and particularly from the BBC, MUST BE SEEN VIDEO! ANOTHER MUST SEE VIDEO |