Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor Binyamin Ben Eliezer (Labor) voiced criticism Sunday of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu following the decision to include the Cave of Machpelah (Tombs of the Patriarchs) and Rachel's Tomb in the list of national heritage sites that the government will help maintain.
Speaking on Army Radio, Ben Eliezer said: “The declaration of the Tomb of Rachel and the Cave of Machpelah as national heritage sites was a mistake. The Prime Minister made a mistake; it came out bad. Even if Netanyahu meant well, this thing should never have been done. This is precisely what we do not need in days like these.”
Regarding the assassinating of Hamas terrorist Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in Dubai, Ben Eliezer rejected claims that it had been a failure. “I do not know who did it,” he said, “but what is important is the result: the knowledge that anyone can be reached and any place and any time – this is deterrence for me.”
"[Hizbullah chief Hassan] Nasrallah, too, spoke about how he wore wigs when he traveled to Damascus in order to keep his identity secret. So draw your conclusions,” he said.
Ben Eliezer celebrated his 74th birthday last week.