The Supreme Court on Thursday 18 Iyar refused to issue to block three ministerial appointments with a temporary order; Shas leader Aryeh Deri, Kulanu MK Yoav Gallant and Yahadut Hatorah MK Yaakov Litzman. Justice Esther Hayut explained there are no grounds for issuing such an order at present. The court instructed the state to respond by Wednesday, 2 Nissan.

The petitioners, MK (Yesh Atid) Yael German and Karin Elharrar explained to the court that regarding Litzman, the ministry requires a full-time minister and not a deputy minister with ministerial authority as is the case. As per the coalition agreement with Yahadut Hatorah, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu will officially serve as Minister of Health while his Deputy Minister, Litzman, runs the ministry. The two made the point that a deputy minister is not part of cabinet meetings and one needs to be present to address the relevant issues before the cabinet. The petitioners have no problem with Litzman being appointed as minister, which he will not do in line with the old ruling of Gedolei Torah.

The case against Deri is based on his convictions for fraud and bribery. They feel he is not suited to serve as a cabinet minister. The suit against Gallant serving as Housing Minister surrounds his conviction on taking public land to attach to his home. That affair led to his disqualification to become IDF Chief of Staff.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)