Housing Minister Summons Smotrich Ally for Dismissal Hearing Amid Dispute

Housing and Construction Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf has summoned Yehuda Eliyahu, a close associate of Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and the acting director of the Israel Land Authority (ILA), for a pre-dismissal hearing. The move escalates a political and administrative conflict between Goldknopf and Smotrich, who oversees the ILA.

The dramatic step follows serious allegations of managerial misconduct leveled against Eliyahu by the ILA's workers' union. In a formal letter to Goldknopf, the union representatives demanded his urgent intervention, including a review of Eliyahu's tenure.

The union cited several severe failures, notably the cancellation of a Rosh Hashanah employee event due to objections to a performance featuring female singers. This decision led to a lawsuit and unnecessary public expense, with the ILA reportedly facing nearly NIS 200,000 in compensation to the contracted company, funds intended for employee training and welfare. The union also pointed to a lack of advancement opportunities for veteran employees, favoring external hires, and a complete breakdown in communication between management and the employee representatives.

These accumulated issues have led the workers' committee to declare an unprecedented crisis of confidence threatening the ILA's functioning. In their letter, union leaders stated that Eliyahu has not demonstrated the necessary managerial experience or capabilities to lead an organization of the ILA's size and complexity, raising significant doubts about his suitability for the role. Goldknopf's decision to proceed with the hearing intensifies tensions at the government's highest levels.