The second Netanyahu government convened Sunday morning for its first cabinet meeting. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
declared at the start of the meeting that "it's time for us to roll up our sleeves."
He added that "in the coming weeks we'll form a policy of peace and security at the National Security Cabinet," and vowed to appoint a person to head the health establishment
and "advance aid to needy families."
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The prime minister began the meeting by addressing his government, which includes nearly 30 ministers. "I would like to stress three things: Responsibility, unity and work," he said.
"This government is a real unity government. It was formed out of a feeling of deep responsibility and the need to urgently handle the security-related, social and economic issues facing the State of Israel.
This is why we’re getting into business right away."
Netanyahu said that decisions on a variety of issues would be made during the meeting. "The government will make a series of decisions today in order to move forward with the financial crisis. Today we will form a Diplomatic-Security Cabinet, and in the coming weeks we'll complete the formation of our policy for peace and security.
"Today, on the eve of Passover,
we are providing first aid. I plan to work with the finance and welfare ministers to find a solution for the nutrition problem. In the coming days I will appoint a person to head the health establishment so as to have a clear address leading this complicated system."
Cabinet meeting (Photo: Olivier Fitoussi, Flash 90)
Regional Development Minister Silvan Shalom commented on North Korea's rocket launch,
saying that the world must take the broadest action possible against Pyongyang because "Iran
and its likes are looking at what the United States and the Western world will do."
According to Shalom, the rocket launch "undermines the world's stability, and action must be taken in order to bring an end to the threat North Korea poses to Japan. The sanctions must be harsh and meaningful."
Interior Minister Eli Yishai said before the meeting, "This government must continue the actions of the previous government and bring about (kidnapped soldier) Gilad Shalit's
release."
According to Yishai, Israel wants peace but "the negotiations as they are currently being held must be halted." He called on the government to "stabilize the socio-economic situation."
The following issues were on the government's agenda Sunday: Changing the government system, appointing the National Security Cabinet, naming Uzi Arad as head of the National Security Council, and cancelling the NIS 650 million ($156 million) project for the construction of a new residence for the prime minister.
At this stage, by law, the National Security Cabinet is expected to include six ministers: Prime Minister Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, Internal Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch and Justice Minister Yaakov Ne'eman.
Six additional ministers have also secured their place: National Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer, Minister for Strategic Affairs Moshe Ya'alon, Intelligence and Atomic Energy Minister Dan Meridor, Minister Benny Begin, Regional Development Minister Shalom and Interior Minister Yishai.
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