The closure of the Ministry of Religious Affairs has led to several vacuums, most significant of which is the exact status of its employees. Although they have not received notices of dismissal, neither does their employer exist any longer. It appears that their problem will be solved, however, by an arrangement under which they can either retire by choice, or be re-assigned to whatever government ministry will take over their department.
Another problematic area is the sacred Mt. of Olives cemetery and protection for Jews who visit it. A private protection agency had been contracted to guard both the visitors and the gravestones, but the agency now has no one with whom to renew the contract. A similar problem exists for a Christian site, the Coenaculum on Mt. Zion where Jesus is said to have eaten his "last supper;" tourists who arrived there at the end of last week found it locked, to protect it from Arab vandals. The Housing Ministry was to have received authorization for the holy sites, but has not yet received the financial allocations. Housing Minister Effie Eitam (NRP) today gave the order to rehire the guards, and not wait until the money is found.
Another problematic area is the sacred Mt. of Olives cemetery and protection for Jews who visit it. A private protection agency had been contracted to guard both the visitors and the gravestones, but the agency now has no one with whom to renew the contract. A similar problem exists for a Christian site, the Coenaculum on Mt. Zion where Jesus is said to have eaten his "last supper;" tourists who arrived there at the end of last week found it locked, to protect it from Arab vandals. The Housing Ministry was to have received authorization for the holy sites, but has not yet received the financial allocations. Housing Minister Effie Eitam (NRP) today gave the order to rehire the guards, and not wait until the money is found.