search

Deputy health minister moves to restore water fluoridation

Previous minister slams the move, asks, ‘Why must we force people to take medication against their will?’

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) congratulates then-incoming Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman at the Health Ministry in Jerusalem, on May 20, 2015. (Amos Ben Gershom/ GPO/Flash90)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) congratulates then-incoming Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman at the Health Ministry in Jerusalem, on May 20, 2015. (Amos Ben Gershom/ GPO/Flash90)

Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman (United Torah Judaism) moved to reinstate the fluoridation of tap water after his predecessor halted it last year, Army Radio reported Sunday.

Litzman ordered the submission of an amendment to existing regulations that would restore fluoride in Israel’s water supply during a recent meeting in the Health Ministry.

Litzman’s decision was based on recommendations from professionals within and outside the Health Ministry, according to the Ynet news website. The proposed amendment will be submitted to the Knesset’s Internal Affairs and Environment Committee.

Water fluoridation, once deemed a safe and affordable way to ensure the public’s dental health, has become controversial in recent years after health professionals have called its efficacy and safety into question.

The previous health minister, Yael German, ordered last year that water fluoridation in Israel be discontinued after ministry officials warned that it posed a danger to public health.

The order, which went into effect in August 2014, was lauded by various rights groups, but criticized by many in the medical and dental communities as a serious mistake.

Health Minister Yael German (photo credit: Flash90)
Health Minister Yael German (photo credit: Flash90)

“Why must we force people to take medication against their will?” German (Yesh Atid) told Army Radio Sunday in response to Litzman’s directive.

“I advise Litzman [to deal with] the many serious problems in the healthcare system,” she said. “Instead of setting it back, let him deal with the real problems.”

Fluoride is commonly added to national water supplies by governments throughout the world in order to prevent tooth decay, but critics say overconsumption of the invisible, odorless, tasteless gas is a health hazard.

Israel originally mandated water fluoridation in 1970 for population centers with 5,000 or more residents and had successfully fluoridated 70 percent of the public’s water supply.

read more:
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: [email protected]
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.