It appears that for Yahadut Hatorah entry into the new coalition will be an uphill battle, addressing the share the burden issue along with demands now being made for the Health Ministry portfolio.

The Movement chief negotiator MK Yoel Hasson announced last week “it is time to place responsibility for the Health Ministry in the proper hands”, making his party’s intentions very clear. The Movement plans to take the ministry away from Yahadut Hatorah despite widespread approval of outgoing Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman’s performance in that position.

During his tenure Litzman has been known to frequently appear in a hospital emergency room at any hour of the day or night to get a realistic picture of the facility’s operations. His genuine concern was the subject of praise from many lawmakers as he enjoyed across-the-board approval from left-wing, right-wing frum and non-frum MKs. Nevertheless, The Movement has set its sights on the portfolio and the prime minister will have to juggle this demand, The Movement with six seats versus Yahadut Hatorah with its seven seats.

Note: While Litzman was only a deputy minister, the portfolio of minister was held by Prime Minister Netanyahu and the deputy minister ran the ministry. In line with instructions from Gedolei Yisrael Shlita, Yahadut Hatorah MKs will not accept a ministerial appointment, only a deputy ministerial appointment.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)