The confrontation between Minister of Finance Yuval Steinitz and Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein over the appointment of Moshe Asher to head the Israel Tax Authority is heating up. A senior source at Steinitz's bureau says, "The line that Weinstein is leading is no less than dangerous. He is emptying the minister's job of content. If the cabinet approves Asher's appointment, the ministers will cancel all current search committees. Maybe all the ministers should resign, and the courts should make appointments?"
Late last week, as "Globes" reported, Weinstein ordered the postponement of the vote on Asher's appointment. Through "Globes", he revealed that the vote was scheduled for Sunday, and that Steinitz, and a majority of ministers, would probably vote against the appointment.
The cabinet did not vote on Asher's appointment at yesterday's meeting.
"Globes" also reported that Weinstein considers the rejection of Asher's appointment as contempt of court, since the search committee unanimously recommended him after reviewing countless candidates, and the High Court of Justice ordered Steinitz to put Asher's appointment to a cabinet vote a month ago. Weinstein is therefore determined that Asher's appointment should be approved.
Weinstein is due to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and present his position on the immediate appointment of Asher. Netanyahu will reportedly not accept a decision that goes against Weinstein's position.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 12, 2012
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