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World Jewish News
Olmert: I hope Netanyahu will continue path my government set
29.03.2009
In his last weekly cabinet meeting this term, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert addressed the issues facing the incoming government of Benjamin Netanyahu, voicing hope that the new government will continue the path set out by his own administration.
"I hope that the new government will continue to advance the same important issues that this government dealt with, while believing and maintaining continuity of government," Olmert said at the start of the meeting.
Olmert will vacate his seat later this week as Netanyahu's government is sworn in on Tuesday.
The outgoing prime minister expressed certainty that Netanyahu's government will "do everything in its power to realize the life-long dream of the state of Israel - happiness, joy and security for the citizens of Israel."
Olmert wished Netanyahu luck, saying "I have no doubt that he will lead the government to achievements."
On the agenda of the weekly meeting was the issue of the privileges granted to Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann recommended during the meeting stripping the prisoners of the privileges that are not anchored in international law, such as the opportunity to study in prison, and entertainment privileges such as television, newspapers and radio.
Meanwhile, Olmert removed from the agenda a request submitted by long-time rival Defense Minister Ehud Barak, who sought cabinet approval for an upcoming trip to Paris.
The decision to remove the item from the agenda was based on the fact that Barak had asked to incorporate a weekend with his wife into the trip, which was to otherwise be restricted to government business.
Barak's office issued a statement arguing that it was Barak himself who had canceled the trip.
Barak submitted the request to the cabinet secretary under the guidelines that require ministers to attain cabinet authorization for any trip relating to ministerial business. Barak asked to travel on April 1 to Paris for defense and security issues. The trip was to include meetings with France's foreign and defense ministers.
Barak asked to stay in Paris after the meetings and return to Israel only after the weekend. The Israeli cabinet does not conduct any official business during the Jewish Sabbath, starting on Friday evening and until Saturday evening, and in France government offices remain closed on Sunday as well.
The cost of the trip was to add up to tens of thousands of shekels, with one of the main expenses being a suite at a Paris hotel.
Despite Barak's official request, Olmert decided not to bring the request for a cabinet vote, and defer the avote to next week's meeting, over which Netanyahu will preside. Olmert argued that Barak can ask Netanyahu to approve the trip and simultaneously receive guidelines as to which policy to present to his French colleagues.
However, the defense minister's office said that Barak had already canceled the trip last week. "We canceled the trip due to this week's swearing-in of the government and scheduling problems," his associates said.
In regard to the weekend in Paris, Barak's office explained that the idea came up in light of a possibility of a meeting with Sarkozy on Friday, shortly before the Sabbath. In regard to Barak's wife accompanying him, his office said it was a routine matter that was in complete accordance with the protocol.
By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service
Источник: Haaretz
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