Minister Without Portfolio Yitzhak Modai has moved his office to the Sheikh Jarah quarter of East Jerusalem where a large complex was built with government offices. The complex was originally constructed to include the office of Premier Menachem Begin, but the Premier deferred moving his office there following international protests and pressures.
Modai is the first Minister to move to the complex which is adjacent to Israel’s national police department headquarters. The only government ministry located in the complex is the Justice Ministry. Modai said he decided to move his office there yesterday because it was spacious, comfortable and had been empty for a long time. He said his move was made in the interest of administrative efficiency and was not politically motivated.
The international protests against Begin moving his office to the complex was orchestrated by the Arabs who said that such a move would be tantamount to “annexing” East Jerusalem. The Knesset last year adopted a resolution stating that all of Jerusalem was Israel’s united capital.
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