As published today in Israel Today, the former welfare minister, who was forced to resign because of an indictment filed against him, will return to committee chair • Katz: "We have a lot of work ahead of us"

• MK Haim Katz

  Photo: 

  Ohad Ziegenberg

Former Welfare Minister MK Haim Katz has been told by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he will be chaired by the Labor, Welfare and Health Committee in the 23rd Knesset. 

This week, Israel Today announced the possibility that the former minister, who was forced to resign following the indictment and won the Knesset immunity before the March elections, will be appointed head of the committee. Katz has held the position for six years, and in the days chaired by the committee, she was crowned social legislation clerk with more than 180 laws passed in second and third reading.

In a statement issued by MK Katz, it was stated that as a first step he would promote two private bills on his behalf; providing unemployment benefits to self-employed persons in accordance with the annual cycle and raising the old-age income benefit allowance.

"I return to running the most important committee for life itself," Katz said. "We will work to improve the quality of health and welfare services and strengthen the safety net for the workers and retirees. We have a lot of work ahead and we face more complex challenges to succeed.

The indictment against Katz dealt with a law designed to curb the haircuts that were customary at the time in the economy, thus preventing damage to savers' money.

On August 7, 2019, Avichai Mandelblit decided to indict Minister Haim Katz in the share affair, but canceled the bribery clause. Ari has a "give and take" relationship, which included the awarding of various favors between the two.

Ben Ari was then a financial advisor to Aquital, a public holding company. The letter of suspicion attributes to Katz goodwill worth millions of shekels in exchange for promoting Ben Ari's interests using his public duties.