JERUSALEM
AT awkward ceremonies in government offices across Jerusalem and Tel Aviv yesterday, they changed the guard, the hapless, defeated ministers of Mr Shimon Peres's vanquished government making way for the confident appointees of Mr Benjamin Netanyahu's new administration.
In most cases, common courtesy ensured a smooth transition. But behind the polite smiles and the firm handshakes, there was no mistaking the delight of the newcomers at their unexpected success, nor the unease of those departing.
At the Prime Minister's Office handing over to Mr Netanyahu Mr Peres noted that "Israel is near the top of the mountain, but there are mines on the way to the peak". Left unexpressed was his fear that Mr Netanyahu's refusal to sanction Palestinian statehood or trade Golan land for peace with the Syrians could see Israel rolling back down the mountain.
Similarly, at the Foreign Ministry. Labour's Mr Ehud Barak handed over to the Likud bloc's Mr David Levy with the message. "I am convinced Israel has embarked on the right course, and that security with peace will win out." Here, the sub text ran along the lines of. "Don't endanger the outgoing government's achievements."
Mr Netanyahu made a bland thank you speech, then got down to serious business at his inaugural cabinet meeting. First decision shifting cabinet sessions from Sunday to Friday, to enable ministers to work a fuller week. But then it was pointed out that Friday cabinet sessions might interfere with preparations for the Jewish Sabbath. A rethink may now be on the cards.
Mr Levy, a moderate when last in charge of the Foreign Ministry four years ago, suggested that the Arab world might want to cancel its high profile summit meeting, called for Cairo from tomorrow. This gathering of 20 plus Arab states is intended to formulate a unified response to the return to power of the Israeli right, hut Mr Levy suggested the Arab world had nothing to fear, and that the summit was "out of place", hut that if it was going to be held he at least hoped the delegates would send "a warm message" to Israel.
The Clinton administration has also been urging the summit host. President Mubarak of Egypt to ensure nothing too hostile is said in Cairo. But with Palestinian leaders branding the new government's guidelines a "declaration of war" and Syria talking of a renewal of the Arab economic boycott of Israel, Mr Mubarak will have his work cut out.
While his colleagues were settling into their new offices, the Likud powerhouse, Gen Ariel Sharon, spent the day in seclusion at his southern sheep farm, waiting to hear whether Mr Netanyahu, who bizarrely left him out of his initial cabinet, can somehow put together a new "national infrastructure" ministry for him.