The Tourism Ministry changed hands today, with MK Rabbi Yitzchak Levy of the NRP turning over the reigns to Benny Elon of the National Union. Rabbi Levy said, "This is the first time that the National Religious Party and the National Union are in the same government coalition. This is a very positive development, and I hope it will continue for a long time."
Elon, who served as Tourism Minister following the assassination of his predecessor Rehavam (Gandhi) Ze'evi in October 2001 until his party left the government in March 2002, said, "Unfortunately, the last time I assumed this position, there was no one to hand it over to me because of the tragic assassination of Gandhi." He expressed his gratitude to MK Levy, and said that he plans to concentrate on increasing tourism from both within Israel and abroad "by developing tourism infrastructures such as the roads leading to sites, improving the conditions of existing sites, and putting emphasis on religious sites in Jerusalem, such as the Old City, the City of David, the Shimon HaTzaddik area, and more."
Minister Elon's newly-appointed senior advisor Chaim Silberstein told Arutz-7's Yosef Zalmanson, "The level of tourism in Israel, both incoming and local, reflects the mood and pulse of the Jewish nation, and Minister Elon sees it as a strategic priority to enhance tourism so as to strengthen the nation both economically and spiritually." He added that an emphasis on "united Jerusalem" plays a major role in the minister's game plan.
MK Rabbi Levy's appointment as Deputy Minister responsible for Religious Affairs is on hold. Levy and the NRP demand that the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which the Shinui party says must be dismantled within a year, be allowed to function as an independent body for the meanwhile. Prime Minister Sharon has yet to agree. Welfare Minister Zevulun Orlev (NRP) said that if the promises made to Levy about his responsibilities are not kept, "it will lead to a genuine coalition crisis."
Elon, who served as Tourism Minister following the assassination of his predecessor Rehavam (Gandhi) Ze'evi in October 2001 until his party left the government in March 2002, said, "Unfortunately, the last time I assumed this position, there was no one to hand it over to me because of the tragic assassination of Gandhi." He expressed his gratitude to MK Levy, and said that he plans to concentrate on increasing tourism from both within Israel and abroad "by developing tourism infrastructures such as the roads leading to sites, improving the conditions of existing sites, and putting emphasis on religious sites in Jerusalem, such as the Old City, the City of David, the Shimon HaTzaddik area, and more."
Minister Elon's newly-appointed senior advisor Chaim Silberstein told Arutz-7's Yosef Zalmanson, "The level of tourism in Israel, both incoming and local, reflects the mood and pulse of the Jewish nation, and Minister Elon sees it as a strategic priority to enhance tourism so as to strengthen the nation both economically and spiritually." He added that an emphasis on "united Jerusalem" plays a major role in the minister's game plan.
MK Rabbi Levy's appointment as Deputy Minister responsible for Religious Affairs is on hold. Levy and the NRP demand that the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which the Shinui party says must be dismantled within a year, be allowed to function as an independent body for the meanwhile. Prime Minister Sharon has yet to agree. Welfare Minister Zevulun Orlev (NRP) said that if the promises made to Levy about his responsibilities are not kept, "it will lead to a genuine coalition crisis."