Israel Land Authority Faces Leadership Vacuum as Minister Blocks Extension
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
Minister of Construction and Housing Chaim Katz will not extend the temporary appointment of Yehuda Eliyahu as acting director general of the Israel Land Authority, which expires Thursday. The Attorney General also opposes the extension due to legal limitations and the proximity to elections. Eliyahu's appointment faced prior judicial challenges, and his current interim role has reached the legal six-month maximum. A hearing regarding Eliyahu's performance, previously postponed, adds further complexity to any potential extension.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Minister Chaim Katz will not extend Yehuda Eliyahu's term as acting head of the Israel Land Authority.
- The Attorney General is expected to oppose the extension of Eliyahu's temporary appointment.
- Eliyahu's interim role has reached the legal six-month limit for temporary appointments.
- The High Court of Justice previously canceled Eliyahu's nomination for the permanent director position.
- A hearing concerning Eliyahu's performance has been postponed and not yet conducted.
Yehuda Eliyahu's temporary tenure as acting director general of the Israel Land Authority (ILA) is set to expire this Thursday, and Construction and Housing Minister Chaim Katz has stated he does not intend to extend it. The Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, is also expected to oppose the continuation of Eliyahu's appointment so close to the elections, potentially leaving the ILA without a director once again.
Eliyahu's current term as acting director expires on Thursday, and Minister Katz has indicated he will not prolong it. The Attorney General's opposition, coupled with a legal opinion from Efrat Prochatzia, the legal advisor to the Ministry of Construction and Housing, highlights significant legal difficulties in extending the temporary appointment. Prochatzia's opinion states there is a "real legal difficulty" in extending the interim role beyond the six-month period allowed by law without special approvals, as this period has been exhausted.
Eliyahu was initially nominated for the permanent director position but his appointment was canceled by the High Court of Justice on July 15. The following day, he was appointed as acting director until a new permanent director could be chosen. The law permits the housing minister to appoint a civil servant as acting director for three months, extendable for another three months in consultation with the Civil Service Commissioner, totaling a maximum of six months without special approvals.
In the ILA's case, half of this six-month period was used before Eliyahu took office. After the previous director, Yanki Quint, retired at the end of 2025, Katz appointed Idan Moalem, director of the Public Transport Authority, as acting director in February. Moalem served for three months before Eliyahu replaced him. Prochatzia's opinion considers Moalem's three months, thus concluding that the six-month limit for temporary appointments without special approvals has been reached.
While further temporary appointments are possible under special circumstances, they require government notification and the consent of the Civil Service Commissioner and the Attorney General. Baharav-Miara is expected to oppose Eliyahu's continued tenure. Adding to the legal complexities, Katz had summoned Eliyahu for a hearing on September 9 regarding his performance. This hearing, initially scheduled for about a month ago, was postponed at the request of Civil Service Commissioner Doron Cohen and has yet to take place. Prochatzia's opinion also cites these circumstances as part of the "real legal difficulty" in extending Eliyahu's term.
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