Israel Railways Chairman Urges Government to Appoint CEO Amidst Management Crisis

Avner Flor, Chairman of Israel Railways, has formally requested the Government Companies Authority to initiate the process of appointing a permanent CEO for the company. In a letter addressed to Roye Kahlon, Director of the Government Companies Authority, Flor highlighted that the company has been operating without a permanent CEO for over a year, since the departure of Shiko Zana in August 2025. During this period, the company has been managed by three acting CEOs, a situation Flor described as a "management complexity."

Flor emphasized that the prolonged absence of a CEO undermines managerial continuity, potentially delaying crucial decisions, hindering work plan advancements, and jeopardizing the company's objectives. He noted that the company is at a "crossroads" facing critical decisions, including a new operating agreement, efficiency team initiatives, rolling stock procurement, a smart station project, and the implementation of a new ticketing system. Additionally, significant projects like the electrification of the railway and the Eastern Railway connection require accelerated progress.

Adding to the management challenges, Flor pointed out an "absurd situation" created by the Government Companies Authority's directive prohibiting the appointment of senior staff until a permanent CEO is in place. This has led to a paradoxical scenario where neither a permanent CEO nor other senior positions can be filled, with existing senior officials doubling up in acting roles, such as the VP of Operations serving as acting CEO and the VP of Infrastructure as deputy CEO.

The chairman stressed that the election period does not preclude essential appointments and that the railway's board unanimously agrees on the urgent need to appoint a permanent CEO. He warned that the continued lack of permanent leadership could severely impair the company's proper functioning.