(19 Jun 1996) Hebrew/Nat
Israel's new Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has chaired the first meeting of his cabinet in Jerusalem, hours after formally taking over from outgoing Premier Shimon Peres.
Netanyahu urged his new coalition government to rise above their petty differences and work together for the sake of the country.
Israel's outgoing Prime Minister Shimon Peres has handed over his office to his successor, Benjamin Netanyahu.
It was a victory that surprised even some of the new Premier's right- wing allies and left many Israelis as well as Arabs fearing the end of an already fragile peace process.
Handing over the office he had held for six months following the murder of his predecessor Yitzhak Rabin, Peres said the path to peace would not be easy.
SOUNDBITE: (Hebrew)
"Israel is near the top of a mountain but there are also mines on the way to the peak. If we stay in place we will never reach the peak but if we do want to get there - we'll have to deal with a lot of difficulties and a lot of mines but it is all worthwhile."
SUPER CAPTION: Former Prime Minister Shimon Peres
Peres' speech seemed like a gentle hint to his 46- year- old successor.
SOUNDBITE: (Hebrew)
"We have a need to deal with many challenges in a democratic manner."
SUPER CAPTION: Former Prime minister Shimon Peres
Netanyahu said that despite wrangling between his newly formed cabinet - they would succeed and work together.
SOUNDBITE: (Hebrew)
"We will prove that the prime minister and the head of the coalition can work together, despite the differences, for the future of our children, for the future of our country and for the future of our people."
SUPER CAPTION: Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu
The handover ceremony took place Wednesday at the Prime Minister's office in Jerusalem where the political enemies shared a few laughs and a toast.
Netanyahu praised Peres for a half-century of service to the state -- and promised co- operation with the outgoing premier.
In return, Peres says he'll help instruct his successor in the ways of government.
Tuesday saw the Prime Minister-elect present his government to the Knesset (Parliament).
The 17 member cabinet was later approved by a 60-50 vote.
And today saw its first meeting..
The new Cabinet includes newcomers like Iraqi-born Yitzhak Mordechai as Defense Minister and Former Soviet dissident Natan Sharanksy as Trade and Commerce minister.
Once all the ministers had arrived, Benjamin Netanyahu opened the meeting.
SOUNDBITE:
"I want to wish this government success not because we want personal fame, but because our success will be the success of the Israeli state and Jewish nation."
SUPER CAPTION: Benjamin Netanyahu - Israeli Prime Minister
But his political victory has been already dogged by internal squabbles.
Absent from the cabinet meeting was senior Likud party member Ariel Sharon.
He was expected to be repaid for his tireless campaigning with the coveted defence or finance portfolios.
A compromise was the creation of a new job for Sharon.
He is now Infrastructure Minister, in charge of defence industries, the state land administration, railways and roads in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
But he hasn't accepted the position yet.
The Sharon crisis culminated a weeks-long juggling act in which Netanyahu negotiated coalition deals and completed his Cabinet puzzle with a six-party coalition.
SOUNDBITE:
SUPER CAPTION: Prof. Peter Medding - expert on Israeli politics
Find out more about AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
Twitter: [ Ссылка ]
Facebook: [ Ссылка ]
Instagram: [ Ссылка ]
You can license this story through AP Archive: [ Ссылка ]
