Israeli Budget Director Proposes Organizational Overhaul Raising Government Concerns

Maharan Prozner, Israel's Budget Director, has initiated a significant restructuring of the Budget Department's traditional organizational framework, a move that has sparked concern within the government about weakening the autonomy of the department's professional deputies. Currently, six specialized deputies operate under Prozner, each managing coordinators and liaisons in their respective fields. Under the new plan, three coordinators would report directly to Prozner, overseeing broad areas such as AI, strategy, and regional cooperation, which could encompass nearly all economic topics.

Government officials worry this change aims to diminish the deputies' independent authority by creating a "mini department" within the Budget Department under Prozner's full control. Some argue this reflects a misunderstanding of government operations, noting that coordinators lack the leverage to influence other ministries as deputies do, potentially rendering these roles ineffective.

Since assuming office earlier this year, Prozner has already stirred controversy, notably by secretly altering a professional document to remove opposition to the "New Horizon" program in non-state recognized education, which increased salaries for ultra-Orthodox kindergarten teachers. He later admitted to this after being asked to assist the Finance Minister's office in managing political pressures.

Before his current role, Prozner served as financial advisor to the IDF Chief of Staff and headed the Defense Ministry's Budget Department, managing defense budgets and leading strategic reforms. After retiring as a brigadier general, he founded a strategic and financial consulting firm and advised key economic entities. His appointment required signing an extensive conflict of interest agreement. The Finance Ministry declined to comment on the restructuring plan.