Lapid decide: State will expropriate Rashbi Tomb?

Will the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai in Meron remain in the hands of the dedication or will it be expropriated and given over to the hands of the state?

Newspaper Kalkalist reports that a government committee advised the Minister of Finance, Yair Lapid, to expropriate the place, transfer it to a government company which will invest in its development and make it a tourist site - with all that entails. On the other hand, this is an explosive action that might inflame the Haredi street.

Background to the control struggle in place begins even under the mandate: The Ashkenazi sanctuary recorded ownership of the two lots on which the grave lies. In the 80s the Sephardic endowment fixtures recorded the additional plot in their name and the site was recognized as a holy place for Jews.

Among the various endowments legal discussions were held often, when the state began to promote middle restitution procedure over the place, for transformation into a tourist site.

Two years ago, the previous Minister of Finance Yuval Steinitz signed a confiscation order, and opened a Pandora's box. The Advisory Committee for expropriations of the Minister, consisting of representatives of the Israel Lands Authority, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Finance, took issue, and stated that they decided to expropriate the place.

"It is imperative to improving and upgrading the management of the complex, in order to fit it to being a holy place which is so important to the Jewish people. Expropriation of the complex, in addition to management decisions by a government company, will allow an optimal solution to the existing and the complex reality which has darkened the area," it was decided by the committee members, except the representative of the Academy Professor Yifat Holzman - Gazit who wrote a dissenting opinion: "I am not convinced that there is a rational connection between the means of expropriation and the purpose of correcting deficiencies. Expropriation is not the way to fill the state's public debt in relation to the grave."

Will Lapid take the risk of further struggle against the ultra-Orthodox?

Attorney Zvi Shub, representing the endowments, warns: "The decision on the expropriation of the compound may create social earthquake".

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!