Haredi journalist wanted to compliment Haim Katz - and exposed the protektzia

Haredi journalist Shari Rot posted a Facebook post praising Health Minister Haim Katz for helping her sick uncle receive a radiation appointment within hours, instead of waiting three weeks. The post sparked a storm: users, journalists, and public figures attacked Rot for glorifying a culture of protektzia and highlighting a collapsing healthcare system where only the well-connected receive fast treatment. Rot responded to the criticism, emphasizing that the appointment was not taken from anyone else and that the minister's responsiveness proves he is functioning.

Haredi journalist Shari Rot posted a Facebook post intended to praise Health Minister Haim Katz, but it allegedly exposed a culture of protektzia in the healthcare system. Rot recounted that her uncle, suffering from a serious illness and refusing hospitalization, needed to wait three weeks for radiation to relieve a blockage causing him severe pain. She turned to Minister Katz, who to his credit took action, and within hours an appointment was arranged at Sheba Hospital. The post sparked a storm: users attacked her for glorifying a culture of connections and fixers. Journalist Carmela Menashe commented that this might be the appointment that was postponed for her relative with cancer. Haaretz reporter Josh Breiner wrote that the post proves every Israeli knows: without connections, you're in serious trouble. Chairman of the Public Health Association Prof. Hagai Levin added that the minister's role is to strengthen the system, not to take care of cronies. Rot posted a response clarifying that the appointment was not taken from anyone else, and that the minister's responsiveness proves he is functioning, despite criticism over his multiple portfolios.