Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman is speaking out regarding an Israel Police recommendation to the State Prosecutor’s Office to indict him on an array of white collar crimes including bribery, fraud and breach of trust.

“I do not take anything back because I am certain that I will prove my innocence” stated the deputy minister.

At the beginning of his comments to a health conference being hosted in the Jerusalem Convention Center, shouts of boos were heard from some participants. However, he clarified, “I cannot comment on the matter other than I stated at the outset that my conscious remains clear. I addressed requests for assistance from the public and always acted to assist everyone in line with the law”

He added that despite the police recommendation he remains certain he will succeed in proving his innocence. “I am certain that this will be the decision reached by the officials. I cannot expound on this. All day I am busied with requests from the public. Anyone who turns to me, no matter who”.

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He added that a new committee is going to be established, headed by Prof. Ze’ev Rothstein, to address a new pharmaceutical basket of drugs covered by the government in 2020, with will have a budget of NIS 700 million. “We are in elections, but we cannot wait until a new government is elected and passes a budget” he added.

Rothstein, CEO of Hadassah Hospitals, added, “This is one of the most important positions in the Israeli healthcare system and I accept it with the full responsibility on me, to act for the good of the public”.

Litzman added that new regulations will be announced in the coming days regarding medical cannabis which will shorten the wait to receive a license from the ministry.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)