The political storm surrounding the position adopted by Deputy Health Minister R’ Yaakov Litzman regarding Barzilai Hospital seems to be gaining momentum as it appears more and more likely that the controversial graves on the site of the proposed fortified emergency room at those of non-Jews.
Atra Kadisa officials have indicated they will issue a statement to that effect at the end of yomtov.
In addition, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has formed a committee as well, headed by his director-general, a body that will investigate the facts in response to mounting public and political pressure against relocating the planned bomb-resistant emergency room.
It appears that Litzman plans run his own show and he has formed his own committee to investigate the situation. Litzman plans to continue working with Gedolei Yisrael Shlita, including Maran Rav Elyashiv Shlita and Maran Rav Wosner Shlita, consulting with them regarding the halachic implications involved in the matter.
At present, there are contradictory reports regarding Atra Kadisha’s position, some indicating the organization insists the kevarim may not be moved, but on the other hand, reports from Thursday indicated the opposite is true, and Atra leader HaRav Dovid Smeidal will announce the bones are that of goyim, in line with the position of Israel Antiquities Authority officials, with whom he met earlier in the week.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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2 Responses
A Rav can only Pasken based on the facts given to him. It would seem that Litzman has an issue with the facts being given to Rav Wosner and Rav Elyashiv Shlita. What I don’t understand is why he is so stubborn and why he is insisting on “pishing” away $36,000,000 for NOTHING. He’s clearly not capable of holding the position he is in and its time for his retirement forced or otherwise.
The skulls discovered there were found in a burial site shared with animal bones and frescoes that had nude figurines. Given the history of that are and the nature of the site, it is obvious that this was pagan.
You are correct about Litzman not liking having these facts presented tot he Rabbonim, because Ger has a financial interest in a construction tender, which will benefit from the hospital being built in the wat Litzman is proposing.