Amsalem on Malchieli's accusations: False and despicable, misleading, creating chaos

September 5, 2024   

Minister Dudi Amsalem responded today (Thursday) to Minister Michael Malchieli's letter to the Attorney General, in which he accused him of abusing his power. Amsalem said: "I strongly reject the false and despicable accusations raised by Minister Malchieli in his letter. This is a desperate and orchestrated attempt by the minister, under the guidance of his patron Aryeh Deri, to divert public discussion from the real failures in the Ministry of Religious Affairs and to handle false accusations by slandering political matters." Michael Shemesh revealed this morning on 'Kan Hades' an unprecedented confrontation in which Minister Malchieli claimed that Minister Amsalem was blackmailing him - and that he was "endangering many human lives", due to the Likud minister's decision to prevent the Ministry of Religious Services from advancing an appointment to the position of Director General of the Holy Places, a senior position that has not been filled for the past six months - and is at the heart of the conclusions of the investigation committee into the Meron disaster. To this, Amsalem's office responded: "The claim that Minister Amsalem is endangering human lives is false and ridiculous! There is no connection between the appointment in question and the risk to human lives. Minister Malchieli is deliberately misleading the public and trying to create complete chaos. "Minister Amsalem is acting solely to promote the public interest and to appoint worthy candidates for senior positions. Appointments to the Companies Authority will only be made when candidates who meet the criteria are brought forward, regardless of their political affiliation." In his response, Minister Amsalem indicates the real reason behind the letter sent to the Attorney General - a battle over the appointment of judges. "As for the appointment of judges," Amsalem's office responded, "it is a matter of paramount importance to the traditionalist public in Israel. Minister Amsalem will not allow Aryeh Deri to take over the committee for the appointment of judges as if it were a private business of Shas. The Likud party represents a large audience of traditionalists who also deserve fair representation in the Chief Rabbinate. The response further stated that "Minister Amsalem calls on Minister Malchieli to stop managing the affairs of his ministry through leaks and slander, and to focus on working for the public.".