Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich supports extending the term of Governor Prof. Amir Yaron, which ends on December 23. Sources close to the finance minister told Israel Hayom on Sunday that "the work with the governor was professional, this is the right message for the markets and for the country's economic resilience."
It was also reported that as far as the Finance Minister is concerned, the decision on the matter was made a week ago, and the Finance Minister informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is supposed to decide on this important issue. Sources close to him told us that the governor's term would be extended "as long as the governor wants."
Prof. Amir Yaron (Archive), Photo: Oren Ben Hakon
However, the proposal to extend the term for another five years has not yet been accepted by Governor Yaron's office. Despite the great criticism that the Governor has received from members of the government over the past year, he wants to continue serving in the position for another five years, as far as he is concerned, this is the order of the day to help the economy in the war and beyond.
On October 11, in response to the announcement of the extension of senior appointments as part of the agreements establishing an emergency government, the Governor of the Bank of Israel confirmed that "in light of the state of emergency and the challenges facing the Israeli economy at this difficult time, he accepts the request that he extend his term, at least, until the end of the emergency period."
In the official language of the Bank of Israel, the word "at least" expresses a desire to remain in office for as long as necessary.
It should also be noted that the law allows extending the governor's term to a full term of five years only, and does not allow an extension to less than that. That is why his term cannot be extended until the end of the war, but another full five-year term can be allowed. The legislature intends that this senior position, which bears enormous responsibility for the economy, will be devoid of any political affiliation.
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