Finance Ministry Legal Counsel Backs Smotrichs Fuel Price Cut Despite Election Concerns
Finance Ministry legal counsel recommends approving a 64¢ fuel tax cut by Bezalel Smotrich, citing cost of living despite election concerns.
Jerusalem, 2 September, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Despite opposition from professional officials and concerns over an “election economy,” the Finance Ministry’s legal counsel has recommended that the Attorney General approve a 64¢-per-gallon tax cut on fuel.
In a legal opinion sent to the Justice Ministry, the counsel said that given the high cost of living and past precedents, there is no legal obstacle to the measure being promoted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
Because the measure is being advanced just two months before the election, legal officials have stressed that the law bars the government from granting major tax benefits to the public within 90 days of an election.
The Attorney General has not yet approved the measure and could still block it.