Right-Wing Criticizes 'Civil Service Rule' When It Disagrees

The author argues that the campaign against Minister Haim Katz regarding the Israel Land Authority (ILA) violates a core principle the right-wing has long championed: that elected officials determine policy and civil servants implement it. While expressing immense admiration for Yehuda Eliyahu and his potential to reform the ILA, the author questions Eliyahu's personal campaign against Minister Katz.

The national camp, the author contends, cannot have it both ways. For years, the right has fought against the "rule of civil servants" and the erosion of governance, yet now seems to support it when a civil servant's views align with their own. The author posits that a true democracy requires adherence to the principle that elected representatives, accountable to the public, set policy, while unelected officials execute it.

Citing U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia's views on the "Unitary Executive," the author emphasizes that unelected officials wielding power independent of elected leaders pose a significant threat to liberty and democracy. The minister faces public scrutiny and electoral consequences for failure, a burden never borne by the bureaucrat.

This principle, the author insists, must be applied universally, whether to the ILA, the IDF Chief of Staff, the head of Shin Bet, or the Police Commissioner. Professional staff can advise and warn, but ultimately must implement the minister's policy. If a senior official opposes or refuses to implement a minister's directives, they should resign and seek election themselves. Alternatively, the Prime Minister must ensure the minister implements government policy or transfer the ministry to another minister. Any action strengthening civil servants over elected officials undermines democracy.