Fischer: Thanks but no thanks
Fischer: Thanks but no thankssrael News Photo: Flash 90

Bank of Israel Governor Prof. Stanley Fischer turned down an offer by Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu to head the Finance Ministry, Channel 2 reported Monday night.

Netanyahu was instrumental in convincing the former Citibank executive to take over his current position three years ago, making it necessary for him to become a citizen of Israel. In hindsight, the move saved Fischer form having to deal with the current financial crisis in the United States that has left Citibank begging for money from the American government.

His term of office as Bank Governor expires in May, and he has set conditions for continuing in the position.

Natan Sharansky, who was a Likud Cabinet minister during the administration of Ariel Sharon, is rumored to have been offered the job as Foreign Minister. Sharansky, one of the most famous Russian refuseniks, was particularly popular with former United States President George W. Bush and frequently visited the White House and Bush’s ranch home in Texas.

Reaching out to Fischer and Sharansky represents a dramatic change in the way things are run in Israel, where it is very uncommon to place professionals in Cabinet posts if they are not Knesset Members.

Outgoing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert broke ground by reaching outside the Knesset and appointing Professor Daniel Friedmann as Justice Minister. He promptly went head-to-head against the High Court with proposals to reform and regulate the system, after decades in which the courts unilaterally widened their powers.

Netanyahu’s attempt for professionalism, if it materializes, would rid the government of the musical political chairs by which coalition parties are convinced to join the government in return for Cabinet posts, regardless of their fields of expertise.