Meanwhile, officials from within the Shas party are insisting that the taxes on all forms of soda be scrapped.

“All the taxes imposed by [former Finance Minister Avigdor] Liberman are going to be abolished, without any discussion,” party sources said on Monday. “This is what we achieved in abolishing the tax imposed on disposable goods and this is what we’re going to do with soda. The Finance Minister has already publicized his intention to do so. These are taxes which were imposed in a deliberate manner in order to harm the haredi public and we have no intention of letting them remain.” my remark: a sickening conclusion]

Shas sources added that a special program to raise awareness of the health issues related to soda consumption is being considered.