Prime Minister's Office Director-General Ilan Cohen, chaired a meeting of the directors-general committee at the Nitzan temporary residential community.  The directors-general discussed housing, employment and social welfare solutions for the residents of the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria.  The discussion was open to the public in order to allow the residents to express their views.

PMO Dir.-Gen. Cohen said that Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert intends to continue dealing with the various issues regarding the residents' lives in as professional a manner as possible.

Construction and Housing Ministry Director-General Shmuel Abuav reported on the operation of public institutions at Nitzan.  Education, Culture and Sports Ministry Director-General Amira Haim informed the committee that all of the residents' children have been absorbed at various educational institutions.

A Social Welfare Ministry representative said that the enlistment of social workers for Nitzan has been completed and added that the various social services, including for youth in distress, are operating.

The Director of the Industry, Trade and Employment Ministry Reassignment Center said that over 620 residents have found new places of employment; approximately 470 of these were assisted by the Center, the rest found new jobs independently.  Over 450 residents have been directed to professional retraining.  Ministry data shows that approximately 100 residents are being reassigned per month, with the pace due to increase.

PMO Dir.-Gen. Cohen said that it was impossible to accede to the residents' requests for agricultural plots near their Nitzan residences.  He said that such agricultural plots could not be allocated in areas that were not classified as "A" development areas, and added that the residents were aware of this limitation when they decided to move to Nitzan.

Ashkelon Coast Regional Council Chairman Shimon Cohen briefed the committee on various issues regarding social activities at Nitzan such as the opening of an additional daycare center and an additional youth club, synagogue furniture, the opening of a new grocery store, security issues, etc.

PMO Dir.-Gen. Cohen informed his fellow directors-general that the Ministerial Disengagement Committee, chaired by Acting Prime Minister Olmert, would convene next week to discuss the issue of permanent housing for the residents.