Deputy Health Minister R’ Yaakov Litzman, who succeeded in obtaining a cabinet majority for the position of daas Torah is not making excuses, but he is going on the offensive, explaining his opponents are only angered since in this case, the man in charge is chareidi.

Speaking to the media following the cabinet decision approving a new venue for the fortified emergency room for Barzilai Hospital, Litzman rejects allegations that the move endangers human life. Defending his position, he explained that the previous Olmert administration reached the same decision, and at that time, the opponents remained silent, but today, with a chareidi official at the helm, the opponents are suddenly voicing their position.

Regarding recent statements from Israel Antiquities Authority officials that in all likelihood the kevarim are not of Jews, Litzman told the press that “It is interesting” since he has a protocol (minutes) from a meeting which took place about six months ago in which IAA officials explain they did not open the kevarim since they cannot establish the bones are not those of Jews.

Litzman’s plan to move the new fortified wing of Barzilai Hospital passed the cabinet, with ministers of the secular Yisrael Beitenu party as well.

Dr. Eitan Chai-Am, the director-general of the Health Ministry does not concur, and he insists the distance to the building is 400 meters, not 150 meters as Litzman claims. He is adamant that the new plan endangers lives and as such, he submitted his resignation following the cabinet’s decision to approve the Litzman plan. The plan passed in cabinet in a 11-10 vote. Chai-Am warns the Litzman plan will have dire consequences.

Voting in favor were: PM Netanyahu, FM Lieberman, Sofia Landver, Eli Yishai, Ariel Atias, Yaakov Margi, Meshulam Nahari, Yisrael Katz, Benny Begin, and Daniel Hershkowitz.

Opposed: DM Ehud Barak, Avishai Braverman, Shalom Simchon, Yitzchak Herzog, Yuli Edelstein, Yossi Peled, Michael Eitan, Dan Meridor, Gideon Saar and Limor Livnat.

Minister Hershkowitz told Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) on Monday morning that it is understood by cabinet members that if during the upcoming month it is learned the bones are not those of Jews, the plan will come before the cabinet again for reconsideration.

MORE EXPENSIVE – LESS BEDS

Opponents explain the alternative plan that was approved is simply unacceptable, costing much more, an additional NIS 135 million, and resulting in far fewer beds.

At present, the Barzilai emergency room has 17 beds. The planned underground unit, atop of the kevarim, was to house 250 underground emergency room beds and 50 additional beds above ground, in the fortified unit.

The new plan calls for a total of 50 beds, above ground in a fortified unit, far less than the original plan.

KADIMA UNWILLING TO ACCEPT THE VERDICT

MKs from the Kadima opposition party insist this is simply unacceptable, gathering the required number of signatures to compel a special plenum session to discuss the matter.

DR. EPHRAIM SHACH SHARES HIS OPINION

Dr. Ephraim Shach, a son of the late Rabbi Menachem Man Shach ZT”L spoke with Israel Radio. He was asked “what would your late father have said in this case?”

Dr. Shach, a doctor of history and Jewish philosophy stated there are three possibilities;

1.    I do not know

2.    Bank Leumi – but that was commercial for profit, definitely Jewish graves

3.    Life takes priority

He emphasized his response was of course speculation, despite begin quite familiar with his later father’s methods and decisions. Regarding Bank Leumi, he does not feel the protests that compelled the bank to abandon a building project atop bones are similar since that was strictly a for-profit venture, not an issue of pikuach nefesh.

Dr. Shach stated that he personally does not agree, for he feels this is truly a case of pikuach nefesh. He feels that Maran Rav Yosef Sholom Elyashiv decided based on the information presented to him, but he questions just how the case was presented to the gadol hador. He does not feel that the gadol hador was given the big picture, details of the original plan and the new Litzman plan.

As we go to print, physicians at Barzilai are protesting the revised government plan.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)