Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced he would have the graves located at the site designated for the construction of an emergency ward at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon re-interred. Netanyahu's move overturns the decision reached by a majority of cabinet ministers based on a demand by Deputy Health Minister MK Rabbi Yaakov Litzman to adopt an alternative building plan away from the graves.
According to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office, Netanyahu, as acting health minister, was authorized by the cabinet on Sunday to make a decision independently.
Based on firm instructions from gedolei Yisroel shlita not to harm the graves, during the government meeting the deputy health minister protested the decision to move the graves. He also gave notice of United Torah Judaism's decision to stand firm against the plan, even if the graves belong to non-Jews, since it could trigger leniencies at Jewish burial places in other parts of the world, where Jews constantly wage battles against growing antisemitism, often manifested in the destruction of gravestones and other acts of vandalism at Jewish cemeteries.
He requested that it be noted in the meeting protocols that although as deputy minister he cannot vote, there is no need to move the graves rather than opt to build the reinforced emergency room in the hospital's parking lot instead.
According to a statement issued by Rabbi Litzman's office Monday night, "The deputy minister's stance against moving the graves is known and has not changed. United Torah Judaism will soon meet to discuss the matter and will announce its moves, in light of the prime minister's decision, as per instructions from gedolei Yisroel shlita.
UTJ is determined to do everything it can to preserve the graves where they are, short of leaving the government.
