West Bank Mama

Child Care Costs Should Be Taken Off Taxable Income

14 Jun 2009 9 Comments

by westbankmama in Israel Update

I am probably the last person to be considered a feminist (I really hate that word), but this issue makes me angry. The Supreme Court here in Israel ruled this past spring that child care costs should be considered a business expense, and taken off a woman’s taxes. The government is now trying to block this, and has tried to pass a bill giving women a small tax break – but without recognizing the full expense.

Female MK’s, and heads of woman’s organizations are angry and fighting back.  (I’d love to know the names of the 19 Ministers who voted for this proposal – and the three who voted against. I think a bit of publicity would do wonders to change their minds! How about it, Tzipi?)

I think it is disgusting that people can have the leasing expense for their company cars taken off their taxable income, but not day care – especially for children under the age of 3! (I speak from experience – we have a company car and the expense – except for part of it – comes off westbankpapa’s income before taxes.)

I personally think that it is better for children for the mother to be home with them when they are young. But if a woman chooses to work outside of the home, the day care expense is a direct result of her working – and should be seen as a legitimate expense. If a company car is regarded as a necessity for a person to get to work – then child care should be seen in the same regard.

What They Hear, and What We Hear

05 Jun 2009 8 Comments

by westbankmama in Israel Update

I read the text of Obama’s speech.  Like most speeches of this kind, different people focus on different parts.

As an Israeli Jew, the following struck me (from the text published in the Jerusalem Post):

“Palestinians must abandon violence. Resistance through violence and killing is wrong and does not succeed……..It is a sign of neither courage nor power to shoot rockets at sleeping children, or to blow up old women on a bus. That is not how moral authority is claimed; that is how it is surrendered…….To play a role in fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, and to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must put an end to violence, recognize past agreements, and recognize Israel’s right to exist.”

I cannot speak for the Arabs, but I would assume that the following struck many of them:

“At the same time Israelis must acknowledge that just as Israel’s right to exist cannot be denied, neither can Palestines. The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for the settlements to stop.”

What Obama said is not new at all. It really describes most of the world’s perception of the conflict pretty well – although it makes me angry that my living in my home is equated with terrorists killing innocent men, women, and children. Am I really as dangerous as a suicide bomber? I am a suburban mom raising three kids, and have never threatened anyone – I just live in a place that some think is “disputed”. Why are my actions compared to a terrorist who shoots rockets at civilians?

Practically speaking – the real test comes after the speech. Will Obama put pressure on us to “stop settlement action”, and ignore the obligations of Hamas to recognize Israel’s right to exist and to stop terrorist activity?

If he does, (which every other president has done) then there will be no peace here. The Palestinians will just sit with crossed arms and wait to receive everything they want on a silver platter, and their people will continue to suffer. Our leadership may continue to make gestures by tearing down outposts (which will be built three days later), but our lives will not change significantly. And, of course, we will continue to watch our backs and guard against terrorist attacks. G-d willing, most will be thwarted by our soldiers. Unfortunately, some will succeed and we will cry for our dead.

And the cycle will continue.