Litzman, Netanyahu and Deri
Photos: Alex Kolomoisky, AP
Likud officials refuse to promote Shabbat bills
Ministerial Committee for Legislation was scheduled to discuss 2 legislative initiatives concerning work on Shabbat in effort to soften blow of Health Minister Litzman's resignation and prevent Haredi parties from quitting government, but Likud members don't wish to appear to be caving in to Haredi demands.
The Ministerial Committee for Legislation was scheduled to discuss Sunday at least two bill proposals concerning work on Shabbat
in an apparent effort to prevent further escalation in the crisis with the ultra-Orthodox parties, but Likud officials refused to promote these legislative initiatives.
The first bill proposal seeks to give the interior minister the authority to cancel municipal bylaws as part of Interior Minister Aryeh Deri's (Shas) ongoing struggle against municipalities, primarily Tel Aviv, which allow the opening of convenience stores on the Jewish day of rest.
The second bill proposal, by MK Moshe Gafni (UTJ), is an amendment to the Hours of Work and Rest Law to bar work on Shabbat completely by instructing the labor minister, who has the authority to permit work on Shabbat, to consider "Israel's tradition" in his decision.
UTJ leader Litzman, PM Netanyahu and Shas leader Deri (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky, AP)
Health Minister Yaakov Litzman is due to hand in his resignation in response to train works done on Shabbat on Sunday, and these legislative initiatives were supposed to soften the blow, preventing the two Haredi parties Shas and Litzman's United Torah Judaism from quitting the coalition and essentially bringing down the government.
But Likud officials, who don't wish to be seen as caving in to Haredi demands, instructed Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, who heads the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, not to put the bills up for discussion.
Meanwhile, the Justice Ministry is working to amend the law to allow Litzman to serve as deputy health minister with a minister's authorities.
Up until two years ago, Litzman served as a deputy minister with ministerial powers, a common arrangement made in order to allow members of United Torah Judaism to be part of coalition governments without being full government members. The reason for this arrangement is seemingly the unwillingness by members of United Torah Judaism to take part in government decisions, some of which are contrary to their world view.
But the High Court of Justice ruled in 2015 that Litzman cannot remain a deputy minister with ministerial powers, determining this arrangement to be illegal, and forcing him to become a full member of the government.
The new bill being pushed by the Justice Ministry would amend Basic Law: The Government, allowing the prime minister to grant ministerial authorities even to those who serve as deputy ministers.
