The High Court of Justice on Tuesday rejected a petition filed by the Israel Medical Association seeking to have the court compel Prime Minster Binyamin Netanyahu to appoint a health minister. At present, MK (Yahadut HaTorah) Yaakov Litzman serves as deputy minister with ministerial responsibilities. The IMA feels that even with his expanded duties, having a deputy minister as the helm of the ministry is detrimental to the nation’s healthcare system.

Justice Dorit Beinish, Elyakim Rubinstein and Chanan Meltzer ruled there is no place for the court to intercede in the matter which is subject to the judgment of the prime minister.

The court added the IMA’s fears surrounding a deputy minister heading the ministry are truly unfounded, lending support for the prime minister’s decision.

Yahadut HaTorah traditionally will not accept a ministerial post due to the secular nature of the state. The chareidi party will however accept a deputy slot without a minister, permitting them to influence government without having to sit on the cabinet and make decisions, which they feel may at times present a contradiction to the Torah way of life.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)