Channels

Photo: Reuters
PM Netanyahu
Photo: Reuters

Netanyahu signals desire to emulate Trump's nomination efficiency

During discussions held over nomination of deputy AGs, Netanyahu bemoans arduous political appointment process, in contrast to Donald Trump’s free rein; committee established to catalyse procedures, remove contraints; PM: ‘The process needs to be changed.’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticized Sunday morning the arduous process of appointing various governmental officials, citing the seeming ease with which US President-elect Donald-Trump has managed to appoint thousands within just a few weeks.

 

 

“Donald Trump is appointing 4,000 people to positions without the committees and bureaucracy,” Netanyahu said during a stormy discussion over the appointment of the deputy attorney general. “In Israel it is not possible to nominate even a few hundred. The system needs to be changed,” he added.

 

President-Elect Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: EPA, AFP)
President-Elect Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu (Photo: EPA, AFP)

 

The subject was already raised in an earlier governmental discussion during which the prime minister was equally unequivocal on the matter. However, when Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Bayit Yehudi) entered the fray to approve his appointments for two deputy attorneys general, resentment among the ministers sparked protests from a number of officials.

 

The disagreement ensued over the fact that appointments were arbitrarily determined in advance for a period of eight years. Ministers Yoav Galant (Kulanu) and Yariv Levin (Likud) protested and inquired as to why such a prolonged period of time and who was the official who decided on this.

 

During the discussion, further protests were voiced over the constrained nature of making new appointments and about the fact that the search committees scare away higher quality candidates.

 

As the discussion was brought to an end, it was decided that a committee—headed by Ministers Levin, Galant, Shaked, Minister of Energy Yuval Steinitz (Likud), and Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (Shas)—be formed to look into altering the current system. This committee will submit its recommendations in the near future. 

 

Little time elapsed before Netanyahu’s opponents eschewed his apparent desire to emulate Trump.

 

“Unfortunately, we knew a long time ago that for Netanyahu, Trump became a man to be emulated,” said Zionist Union MK Ayelet Nahmias-Verbin. “Netanyahu is blatantly copying Trump ... his hatred of foreigners, his hostility toward journalists and now he wants to imitate his nomination of politicians. Trump has to be given credit, but from what we have seen until now, it is not a sure thing that Trump is an ideal model to emulate for the prime minister of Israel.”

 


פרסום ראשון: 12.11.16, 21:35
 new comment
Warning:
This will delete your current comment