After the dismissal of Israel’s Chief Pathologist Dr. Yehuda Hiss, the Ministry of Health published a tender to accept candidates for the post.

Zaka’s Yehuda Meshi-Zahav did not waste time, announcing he wishes enter the post and feels he can run the center in line with halacha. His appointment however seems quite unlikely.

Health Ministry officials report there are only three applicants to date, leading the ministry to announce that if a suitable candidate is not found the tender will be expanded to permit applicants from abroad. Two of the candidates are employed in the center at present.

The tender calls for an expertise in forensic medicine well beyond the norm, a fluency in Hebrew, an ability to lead studies and to properly represent the institute. State civil service officials approved the criteria and the selected candidate is expected to fill the post in May 2013. Ministry officials explain this job demands a great deal more than basic forensics and there are few who are qualified to fill the post.

A former senior official from Abu Kabir is quoted anonymously by the daily Yisrael HaYom explaining that a new leader will change nothing “for the facility is deeply entrenched in the bureaucracy of the 60s and 70s, lacking a basic dignity for the deceased. Before an appointment is made, we must seek a professional of international stature who can not only implement change, but teach us how the institute should and must be run.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)