No progress was reported as of Sunday morning 8 Tammuz in negotiations involving parents, doctors, hospital representatives and arbitrator former High Court Justice Elyakim Rubinstein.

Rubinstein was appointed by the High Court of Justice to lead talks between Hadassah Hospital, the parents of the sick children and pediatric oncologists who quit the hospital over the dispute.

Kol Berama Radio reported that Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon was approached and agreed to hear numbers regarding the establishment of a new pediatric hematology-oncology unit in Shaare Zedek Hospital.

Professor Yonatan Halevy, Medical Director of Shaare Zedek, has openly criticized Health Minister Yaakov Litzman’s handling of the crisis. Halevy explained if Hadassah is unwilling to reopen the unit, he is willing to establish one in his hospital but there is no room for two in the city. Health Minister Yaakov Litzman has objected, stating he will not permit opening the unit in Shaare Zedek.

Despite claims by parents and the doctors, Litzman is also giving full backing to Hadassah Director Prof. Ze’ev Rothstein, who he appointed. Litzman stands behind Rothstein, and according to many, at the expense of the doctors and most importantly, the children.

Rubinstein on Sunday morning report there has yet to be progress but arbitration involving the sides continues. Parents clearly back the doctors who resigned and blame Hadassah for the crisis, but Litzman is unwilling to entertain any viewpoint other than his own.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)