The Knesset on Tuesday, 22 Teves, past a bill that will permit Yaakov Litzman to return to his former post as deputy minister of health while giving him ministerial authority. The vote was the first of three readings required to pass the bill into law.

The bill now goes to committee where it is polished/amended and prepared for final votes.

Litzman resigned as Health Minister a number of weeks ago in an act of protest over continued Chilul Shabbos by Israel Railways. Prior to the current government, the chareidim never accepted ministerial appoints, in line with the ruling of Gedolei Yisrael, not wishing to be a part of the chilul Shabbos that takes place. They would only permit chareidi representatives become deputy ministers. MK Yair Lapid took the matter to the High Court, demanding a health minister be appointed. The court ruled Litzman’s acting a health minister while not really being appointed minister was untenable. After consulting with Gedolei Yisrael, he was given the okay to become Health Minister in this cabinet.

If the bill passes its second and third readings, becoming law, it will permit Litzman and others to once again serve as a deputy minister with ministerial authority, circumventing the High Court’s deicsion.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)