About a week ago, I thought to myself that perhaps I ought to write a piece about how Yuval Steinitz has proved a pleasant surprise. Steinitz is a cultured man, who, before he was appointed minister of finance, could also be pretty unruly. Not in his everyday behavior: in that respect he is a gentleman, and fairly composed. But when it came to politics, especially on matters to do with Arabs and security, Steinitz, who has a doctorate in philosophy, had some very unphilosophical outbursts.
Steinitz's political statements were characterized by extremism, generalization, difficulty in listening to other points of view, and pathos that did not always distinguish between what was important and what was not. When Netanyahu decided to make Steinitz minister of finance, there was great wonder, not to say astonishment. Steinitz? Of all people? Minister of finance? What does he know of money and economics? He always dealt in politics, so has the philosopher suddenly become an economist?
Then Steinitz is minister of finance, and there's an economic crisis, and the weeks and months pass, and the Finance Ministry actually looks fine. Not just the ministry, but the country's financial state.
We came through the crisis in a way that impressed not just us, but also knowledgeable non-Israelis, and altogether the economic situation looks fair to good. True, other people had a hand in it, chiefly Governor of the Bank of Israel Stanley Fischer, but it's impossible to ignore the part Steinitz has played in this success.
The fact that Steinitz conducted himself wisely contributed much to his image as a senior minister. He spoke little about politics, and concentrated on his own affairs. He gave off an air of being entirely focused on his difficult task. And that was right and proper. Then, boom! An attack on the High Court of Justice that would not have disgraced the court's most vehement detractors. It is this style that is the problem. On the substance of the matter, Steinitz might be right or wrong, and he certainly has the right to criticize any Israeli institution, as does any other citizen. There may even be justice in what he says about court rulings that fail to take adequate account of their budgetary consequences. But, as so often, what counts is the tone.
There is also the question of respect for the Supreme Court. This institution is a bastion of democracy. We all have a supreme interest in maintaining its authority and respect for it. All of us, including the government and its ministers, particularly senior ministers, because of the weight their statements carry with the public. To throw stones at the Supreme Court is to throw stones at ourselves, at our democracy.
For all that, this is not the event that should determine Steinitz's standing. Since being appointed minister of finance he has shown that there is another Steinitz. It's a pity that he saw fit to remind us of the earlier Steinitz, but that shouldn't make us forget the conduct and achievements of the later Steinitz. We can only hope this is not the return of the old Steinitz, but only a brief visit.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 15, 2009
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