Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Ehud Barak held a friendly changing-of-the-guard ceremony this morning. They exchanged compliments between them: Barak said that there is no one better prepared to assume the office than Sharon, and Sharon expressed sorrow over not having 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 (see below).
Similar ceremonies took place in other government ministries today. Binyamin Ben-Eliezer handed over the Communications Ministry to Ruby Rivlin, and later transferred the Housing Ministry to Natan Sharansky. Ben-Eliezer assumed 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.
Education Minister Limor Livnat assumed her office today, and immediately informed Director-General Shlomit Amichai that her duties would soon be terminated. Livnat asked Amichai, an appointee of former Education Minister Yossi Sarid of Meretz, to remain in her post until her successor is chosen. The new Minister emphasized again today the importance of advancing Jewish history, Jewish-Israeli culture, and the history of Zionism in the public school system.
Following the resignation of Ehud Barak from the Knesset today, Eitan Cabel will enter the Knesset as a Labor party Knesset Member. Former MK Micha Goldman had been next on the Labor list, but he passed on the privilege of becoming a Knesset Member. Cabel led the campaign against the legalization of Arutz-7 last year. Barak is the fifth MK to resign since the election one month ago, following Goldshmidt, Bar\'am, Shachak, and Savir.
Similar ceremonies took place in other government ministries today. Binyamin Ben-Eliezer handed over the Communications Ministry to Ruby Rivlin, and later transferred the Housing Ministry to Natan Sharansky. Ben-Eliezer assumed 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.
Education Minister Limor Livnat assumed her office today, and immediately informed Director-General Shlomit Amichai that her duties would soon be terminated. Livnat asked Amichai, an appointee of former Education Minister Yossi Sarid of Meretz, to remain in her post until her successor is chosen. The new Minister emphasized again today the importance of advancing Jewish history, Jewish-Israeli culture, and the history of Zionism in the public school system.
Following the resignation of Ehud Barak from the Knesset today, Eitan Cabel will enter the Knesset as a Labor party Knesset Member. Former MK Micha Goldman had been next on the Labor list, but he passed on the privilege of becoming a Knesset Member. Cabel led the campaign against the legalization of Arutz-7 last year. Barak is the fifth MK to resign since the election one month ago, following Goldshmidt, Bar\'am, Shachak, and Savir.