Businessman Linked to Minister Under Pressure to Approve Land Authority CEO Appointment

Weeks before Yehuda Eliyahu was appointed CEO of the Israel Land Authority (ILA) on May 4, businessman Nadav Layla, a confidant of Housing and Construction Minister Haim Katz, faced significant pressure to help secure the appointment. Layla, a multimillionaire with ties to prominent political figures including President Isaac Herzog, Transportation Minister Miri Regev, and Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman, was approached by Yonni Danino, Eliyahu's trusted associate. Danino reportedly contacted Layla multiple times by phone and met him twice at his home, urging him to advocate for Eliyahu's appointment. Danino, an activist involved in settlement administration, had previously served as an advisor to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and is closely linked to both Eliyahu and Smotrich.

Further pressure was exerted by Sharia Demski, Chief of Staff to the Finance Minister, who also contacted Layla through calls and a meeting in late March. Demski reportedly requested Layla's intervention with Minister Katz regarding Eliyahu's appointment. It remains unclear if Layla yielded to these requests. Eliyahu was eventually appointed, but the appointment was later disqualified by the Supreme Court, leading to his current role as acting CEO.

Recently, Minister Katz decided to dismiss Eliyahu, sparking a political storm and anger among senior Likud members. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intervened, announcing an extension of Eliyahu's acting appointment, indicating the conflict is ongoing. Eliyahu denied any behind-the-scenes maneuvering, stating he was unaware of the alleged meetings and never asked anyone to approach the minister's associates. Nadav Layla commented that while many people approach him for assistance, there are issues he refuses to engage with.