The Religious Affairs Ministry, with the help of the Housing and Interior Ministries, plans to build 30 new mikvaot (ritual baths) in Judea, Samaria and Gaza over the next two years. Religious Affairs Minister Asher Ochana (Shas), who announced the decision, also said that 43 other mikvaot had been renovated in Yesha in the past year. The Religious Affairs Ministry also plans to station 60 "mobile synagogues" around the country during the coming High Holidays in order to meet the extra demand. Demand for synagogue seats and services during this period often exceeds supply in many localities.