Netanyahu Blocks Minister's Attempt to Fire Land Authority Chief

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has intervened to prevent the dismissal of Yehuda Eliyahu, the acting director of the Israel Land Authority (ILA). The move came after Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Haim Katz initiated proceedings to fire Eliyahu, sparking significant anger among right-wing supporters who view Eliyahu as a professional performing important national work in the Galilee and Negev regions.

Critics, including commentator Shimon Riklin, have questioned Katz's motives, suggesting they might involve "deals" or "connections with contractors" and accusing the Likud party of acting against its own right-wing principles. Riklin argued that Eliyahu is a serious professional making positive changes and that attempts to remove him are reminiscent of actions the left wing typically pursues through legal petitions.

In response to the public outcry, Netanyahu's office issued a statement confirming Eliyahu's appointment as acting director and stating he would not be fired. The Prime Minister reportedly recognized the intensity of the public's anger regarding the potential dismissal of someone seen as working to return the country to "Jewish hands" in a "decent" manner.

Minister Katz, however, has not backed down, issuing a statement denying any connection between the dismissal attempt and requested appointments. He cited serious allegations of mismanagement at the ILA, including poor interpersonal relations and the exclusion of women, as the reasons for initiating the dismissal process, raising doubts about Eliyahu's suitability to manage the authority.