israeli workers to contribute to northern relief fund

Israeli workers south of Haifa will contribute one day's salary to a fund for relief of the northern third of the country, according to a recent agreement. Workers in the north will be paid for time missed during the recent war although they will be required to sacrifice a portion of vacation days. The larger effect of the war on the country's budget and tax policy has yet to be determined, although it seems safe to say that further reductions in defense spending will be off the table for the foreseeable future.