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Ashkenazi Haredi MK to join cabinet in historic appointment

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In an historic decision, the Council of Sages of the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party authorised Deputy Health Minister Ya’acov Litzman to accept the position of Health Minister on Thursday.

Prime Minister Netanyahu offered Litzman the decision following a ruling by Israel’s High Court of Justice instructing that it was unacceptable for deputy ministers to serve with the full authorities of ministers. This had been the case to date with Prime Minister Netanyahu holding the ministerial post in name only.

Historically, UTJ’s Council of Sages had prohibited its Members of Knesset (MKs) to serve as ministers in order to prevent their involvement in government decisions that may contravene Jewish law. The practice began in 1952 after Prime Minister Ben Gurion’s government passed a law requiring women to serve in the military. Commenting on the decision, Litzman said: “I respect the decision of the court … From my standpoint my job will not change at all. I will continue to serve the citizens of Israel, just as I did before today, and advance the health needs of the people.”

In other news relating to the government reshuffle, the Israeli Government also approved on Thursday the appointment of Minister Danny Danon as Israel’s 17th Permanent Representative to the United Nations. He will replace Ambassador Ron Prosor whose term will come to an end next month. Danon is to be replaced as Minister of Science by Ofir Akunis (Likud).