There are rumors of the coalition government falling as Health Minister Yaakov Litzman is flexing his political muscle. The machlokes stems from Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu planning to appoint former Accountant-General Michal Abadi-Boiangiu to the Civil Service Commissioner in place of Moshe Dayan, The Marker reports, a move strongly contested by Litzman.

Michal Abadi-Boiangiu stepped down at the end of January of this year. Litzman in recent days met twice with PM Netanyahu, using the full weight of position to oppose the appointment. Civil service commissioner is an important appointment for the commission may approve or block appointments. According to reports, the meetings were difficult and Litzman has even threatened to leave the government.

Michal Abadi-Boiangiu stepped down from the Finance Ministry after six years in the Accountant-General. She is known to be very close to PM Netanyahu. The bad blood between her and Litzman goes back some time, reaching it height surrounding the appointment of Prof. Ze’ev Rothstein as head of Hadassah Hospitals, with the latter being the personal appointment of Litzman. Abadi-Boiangiu fought tenaciously against the appointment.

Litzman responded to the reports admitting his opposition to the appointment but denies he has or is threatening to bring down the government.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)