A changing-of-the-guard ceremony took place on March 19 at the Ministry of Finance. Incoming Finance Minister, Yair Lapid, congratulated outgoing Finance Minister, Dr. Yuval Steinitz: “serving as Finance Minister is especially difficult for good people. The impressive thing, Yuval, is that your opponents also know that you are a good and caring person. On behalf of the State of Israel I thank you”.
Outgoing Finance Minister Dr. Yuval Steinitz: “I came here during a very difficult world crisis that had begun to affect the Israeli economy as well. I came at a time of total pandemonium and I am leaving with a sense of satisfaction. First and foremost the goal I set was high growth and low unemployment. That is the name of the game, and this is how Finance Ministers are measured throughout the world. I am leaving with a sense of satisfaction because I achieved my major goals. Unemployment is people. Unemployment is not macro; it pertains to hundreds of thousands of people and their families. Today we have the lowest unemployment rate recorded for decades. Yair, I am handing you the reigns of the economy in a better condition than I received it; and the heavy weight has now been transferred to your shoulders”.
Deputy Finance Minister, Mickey Levy: “On many occasions I had discord and disagreements with the Finance Ministry and I was impressed by their professionalism”.
Outgoing Deputy Finance Minister, Yitzhak Cohen: “Leaving is not easy for me. The honorable incoming Minister, you will find here professional and dedicated gatekeepers”.
Ministry of Finance Director General, Doron Cohen: “Minister Steinitz succeeded in navigating the ship and creating growth during a stormy period. Yair, you are receiving the most professional ministry in the government, with excellent people. You are taking upon yourself the lobbyist position – standing strong for the rest of the people whose money all sectors are after. Remember that when you give, you are giving from the pockets of these people".
