As the new government was being sworn in by the Knesset, sources inform "Globes" that incoming Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will also serve as Minister for Economic Strategy. Although Yuval Steinitz will be Minister of Finance, and not as initially expected a minister in the Ministry of Finance, Netanyahu will nevertheless take overall charge of economic policy as a kind of Minister for Economic Strategy by serving as chairman of the Economic Cabinet.
Speaking about the economic crisis Netanyahu said, "This crisis is unprecedented in its scope and hurts each and everyone of us and threatens the jobs of many Israelis. I don't know how and when it will end. But I am convinced of one thing the Israeli economy has advantages that enable it to cope with the crisis better than many countries."
He added, "Because we are a small country, that fact can help us get out of the crisis that much faster. The Israeli economy is a small racing boat sailing among big ships and I intend leading the change of direction. The new government will defend jobs, solve the credit crisis and protect macro-economic policies.
Leader of the Opposition Tzipi Livni told the Knesset, "This is a bloated government with ministers of nothing.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 31, 2009
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