Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Ehud Barak held a friendly changing of the guard ceremony this morning. They exchanged compliments: Barak said that there is no one better prepared to assume the office than Sharon, and Sharon explained again why he had originally wished to have Barak serve as his Defense Minister. The ceremony did not include drinks or refreshments; Barak explained that it was because of today\'s pre-Purim Fast of Esther.
Similar ceremonies are taking place in other government ministries today. Binyamin Ben-Eliezer handed over the Communications Ministry to Ruby Rivlin, and later the Housing Ministry to Natan Sharansky. Ben-Eliezer will assume the office of Defense Minister from Ehud Barak later this afternoon. Uzi Landau took over the Public Security Minister from Shlomo Ben-Ami; police officers in attendance expressed great satisfaction with their new boss. \"Finally, there will be someone who will restore order here,\" one said. The Shas ministers will not assume their positions today, because of the Fast of Esther.
Similar ceremonies are taking place in other government ministries today. Binyamin Ben-Eliezer handed over the Communications Ministry to Ruby Rivlin, and later the Housing Ministry to Natan Sharansky. Ben-Eliezer will assume the office of Defense Minister from Ehud Barak later this afternoon. Uzi Landau took over the Public Security Minister from Shlomo Ben-Ami; police officers in attendance expressed great satisfaction with their new boss. \"Finally, there will be someone who will restore order here,\" one said. The Shas ministers will not assume their positions today, because of the Fast of Esther.