Rothman Mocks Levinson's Confusion Over Public Official Firings

Member of Knesset (MK) Simcha Rothman responded Thursday to journalist Haim Levinson's remarks regarding the controversy surrounding Minister of Construction and Housing Haim Katz's decision to summon Israel Land Authority Chairman Yehuda Eliyahu for a pre-dismissal hearing. The move had drawn criticism from figures within the Religious Zionism and Likud parties. Levinson had mocked the critics, writing, "I'm a little confused. A minister! An elected official! Wants to fire a clerk. Suddenly the whole deep state is against it? Excuse me? If you don't like it, don't vote Likud. The minister will decide."

Rothman countered Levinson's assertion, stating that public criticism of Katz actually illustrates the distinction between the authority of an elected official and that of an unelected clerk. "Not a little confused, very confused," Rothman wrote. "The main reason powers (including the power to fire a clerk) should be in the hands of elected officials is because elected officials are accountable to the public."

According to Rothman, while Minister Katz is entitled to exercise his authority in this instance, the public is also entitled to object and exact a political price. "What is happening now is that the elected official (Katz) wants to take an action that the public believes is wrong (the dismissal of Yehuda Eliyahu) and will pay a public price for it (criticism, protests, voting)," he explained.

Rothman further elaborated that due to public pressure, "the elected official will reconsider his position or the public will reconsider its position and not elect that party or that person. Democracy!" He sharpened his critique, contrasting this with the judicial system, stating, "Conversely, a country where dictators in robes from the High Court appoint or dismiss people, and the public has no say in the matter, is not a democracy."

Rothman concluded his response by quipping to Levinson, "It's not that complicated, and there's no need to be confused. Happy to help."