Outgoing Minister of Finance Yaakov Neeman declares he has no intention of returning to politics. Neeman defines as "highly improbable" the likelihood of his returning to the Ministry of Finance in future, in view of his experience in his last eighteen months in office.
Neeman, who took leave of his staff on Friday, refused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’ request to withdraw his resignation. At a press conference, Neeman warned against instituting electioneering economics, which is "a curse to the market and the economy". Neeman did not criticise the Prime Minister, but did shoot some arrows at fellow coalition members: "They, to put it mildly, are not loyal".
According to Neeman, "It is impossible to continue like this. The Minister of Finance cannot discharge his office at a time when coalition members are torpedoing the government’s draft resolutions. One cannot be responsible for the economy of the State of Israel at a time when coalition members refrain from supporting the budget and the Arrangements Bill, and when cabinet members support bills submitted by opposition MKs, at a high budgetary cost. A responsible economic policy cannot be conducted this way".
The outgoing Minister of Finance emphasises, however, that he had no alternative but to leave his position. "There is no sense of relief here, but profound anxiety in view of the economic processes expected to overtake Israel, and especially the switch to electioneering economics". Neeman added, "If any deviation is made from the road of rehabilitating the market and the national economy, the recession will deepen and the number of unemployed will significantly increase".
Neeman also stated that he does not intend to disappear from the map. "I have no political ambitions, but will be happy to continue giving advice. I told the Prime Minister I was prepared to help him and any other government, if asked". Neeman said he was glad the Prime Minister had decided on early elections, but what Israel needed, more than all else, was a national unity government.
"Globes": Did the Prime Minister abandon you?
Yaakov Neeman: "I think that is an incorrect definition. The Prime Minister is in distress. Coalition MKs of every faction and every branch of a faction, are coming to him with irreconcilable political demands. Under such circumstances, I could not continue as Minister of Finance. There is no coalition and the Knesset is unable to pass the Budget or the Arrangements Bill".
So you are running away from the job?
"That, too, is an incorrect definition. I am not running away from the job. I simply wanted to set a personal example. A Minister of Finance cannot fulfil his office while coalition members are torpedoing government resolutions. This runs counter to all normal administrative and legal procedures".
Did you not feel obliged, in the present state of the economy, to continue in office?
"A public official must act in accordance with the dictates of his conscience and his principles. He must not compromise on any one of them. The most important thing, today, is national unity. Absence of unity is most injurious to the State economy and to each and every citizen. I hope party leaders will muster enough personal and public courage to realise that, at this time, the most important thing is to close ranks".
"Is the Prime Minister suitable to be Minister of Finance ?
"I am not the one to appoint ministers of finance. The law provides that ministerial appointments are the province of the Prime Minister. I spoke with Netanyahu about this. In my opinion, the Prime Minister can certainly dedicate time to economic affairs too, alongside his political and other affairs. This should be done in full co-operation with the highly dedicated and professional team the Ministry of Finance has today. I discussed this with the ministry directors, and I am confident they will continue with the same line of national responsibility, in line with the general public interest. The finance ministry has responsible people, even though cabinet ministers are calling them the Ministry of Finance’s little clerks. I am confident they will know how to withstand all pressures, including political pressures".
How long can the Prime Minister hold the finance portfolio?
"If the Prime Minister continues to hold the finance portfolio until after the elections, I an confident he will prove adept at working in full harmony with the excellent team at the Ministry of Finance. These are people who contemplate nothing but the public interest. I did not find fit to serve as a fig leaf for things to which I cannot consent, or to sign cheques which will have to be collected from the public. I am certain that, now that he has announced early elections, the Prime Minister will be able to withstand pressures, since he will no longer be dependent on coalition members or on this or that faction. The Prime Minister understands economics, and understands economic processes, and I am confident he will be able to withstand the various pressures and not be dragged into electioneering economics".
Published by Israel's Business Arena December 20, 1998