Health Ministry Warns Public About Doctor Whose License Is Suspended

Israel's Ministry of Health issued a warning on Monday regarding Dr. Michael Yanko, stating he is not authorized to practice medicine. The ministry received recent inquiries indicating Yanko continues to offer mental health consultation services, including for children and adolescents, despite his medical license being suspended for 15 years.

The suspension, decided in December 2025, followed Yanko's criminal conviction for obtaining something by fraud under aggravated circumstances and a disciplinary hearing. The Ministry of Health found that Yanko provided false recommendations for medical cannabis licenses. The disciplinary tribunal characterized his actions as "systematic and repeated criminal conduct that severely harms public trust in the medical profession."

Despite the license suspension, the ministry has received reports of Yanko still providing mental health advice. The ministry emphasized that the suspension remains in effect and any medical opinions, certifications, diagnoses, treatment recommendations, or documents issued by him are invalid. Such documents will not be recognized by official bodies, courts, medical committees, government ministries, health funds, educational institutions, the IDF, the National Insurance Institute, or insurance companies.

The Ministry of Health urged the public to exercise vigilance and responsibility when seeking medical advice or documents, advising them to verify that any document is issued and signed by a qualified professional with a valid license to practice medicine in Israel. License validity can be checked through the ministry's database.