Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz on Thursday publicly thrown his support behind the ministry's public health chief, who came under fire recently for presenting inaccurate data, with some ministers calling for her resignation.
It has been revealed that during recent discussions inside the country's coronavirus cabinet, Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton claimed the virus data presented by Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis was skewed in favor of implementation of more restrictions.
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Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis and Education Minister Yifat Shasha-Biton
(Photo: Sarit Hochberg)
In a post on his Twitter account, Horowitz called Alroy-Preis "one of the most talented and dedicated professionals" in the health system.
"Sharon will continue to be a leading player in managing the fight against coronavirus, for the benefit of the Health Ministry and for the benefit of the entire public," he wrote.
"I suggest all those looking for headlines, look elsewhere. I will not allow the excellent work of the Health Ministry's employees to be undermined."
The health minister's comments came after it emerged that Shasha-Biton recently appealed personally to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and asked him to start looking for Alroi-Preis's replacement.
The education minister justified her request by saying that a change in required in the general approach when it comes to dealing with the pandemic. Government officials, however, told the education minister that such a move "will not really happen".
Health Ministry Director General Prof. Nachman Ash told Ynet on Wednesday, while apparently referring to Shasha-Biton, that "criticizing professionals who do a faithful job and come up with a clear professional thesis is not right".