Council of Torah Sages toward historic decision: Litzmann to serve as Minister

The Israeli Supreme Court produced today (Sunday) a partial ruling regarding the petition filed by Yesh Atid party against the term of Yaakov Litzman as Deputy Minister of Health with the status of Minister.

The High Court ruled that "the institution of a Deputy Minister in the status of Minister in general and of the Ministry of Health in particular will be canceled due to lack of legality".

"It is hereby an absolute ruling with respect to the first interim injunction, i.e. the institution of 'Deputy Minister in a status of Minister' has no effect, and as far as it was used – it has passed from this world forever," the justices ruled.

The judges also noted that seemingly it could be said that, if Litzmann serves as a "regular" deputy minister there is no fault in that. "But we have reached the clear conclusion that this would be a" before the blind you shall not place an obstacle"(Vayikra 19, 14), and obvious ridicule of the issue, since there is no chance whatsoever in the existing terms of the coalition agreement, the status of United Torah Judaism, the status of Rabbi Litzmann in the office and being a real address to almost everything, and the absence of a minister serving as an acting minister which is the prime minister who is very busy – there will be the slightest connection between the legislature's intention to appoint deputy ministers and the reality on the Ministry of Health; nor will we make fools out of ourselves.

"Therefore, an order is given, whereby Rabbi Litzmann will stop serving as Deputy Minister of Health within 60 days from now, and of course, could be appointed to serve as the Minister of Health legally".

The ruling was made by Chief Justice Miriam Naor, Deputy of Chief Justice Elyakim Rubinstein and Judges Salim Jubran, Hanan Meltzer and Neal Hendel.

The office of Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman responded: "We received the Supreme Court ruling and will study its meaning. The issue will be presented before members of the Council of Torah Sages who will give their decision and we would act accordingly."

Chairman of the Party 'Yesh Atid' Yair Lapid responded: "We welcome the decision of the court tonight, accepting the petition of Yesh Atid, and announcing that the Ministry of Health should be headed by a full-time minister. The public interest defeated the political interest. The Supreme Court announced today to the Israeli government that the political gig has ended for Israeli citizens who deserve a full time Health Minister. The health system is one of the most complicated and problematic systems that the state of Israel has and deserves a Minister who could act with all the powers and responsibilities required by a Minister of the State of Israel. Of course this is not a war against the haredim, but against the combination and job culture".

The petition was submitted on behalf of Yesh Atid by Attorneys Ronen Aviani and Guy Bussi.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!