MKs Say Antiquities Chief Appointment Was Canceled Over Religious Discrimination

The parliamentary lobby for ultra-Orthodox and religious women sharply criticized the decision to cancel Esti Schreiber’s appointment as director general of the Israel Antiquities Authority, calling it discrimination on religious grounds. In a statement on Thursday night, the lobby said Schreiber had completed all the required professional steps, received legal approvals, and been selected for the job before the tender was later voided. It questioned why objections about eligibility were not raised during the selection process itself.

Lobby chair and Deputy Knesset Speaker MK Limor Son Har-Melech said Schreiber was disqualified only because she is a religious woman who covers her hair. She accused public officials who speak about women’s representation in government of hypocrisy, saying they disappear when a qualified religious woman is chosen by a right-wing minister. She added that the group would not stay silent and would not allow a glass ceiling to be imposed on religious and ultra-Orthodox women because of their appearance or beliefs.

The response followed a decision by Judge Shulamit Dotan, who informed Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu that Schreiber’s appointment had been rejected. Dotan ruled that the minimum requirements set in the tender were lower than what the law requires, and therefore the entire process had to be invalidated.

Earlier, people familiar with the appointment also criticized the ruling, saying Schreiber met every requirement, passed the professional selection process, and received the approval of the Justice Ministry’s legal adviser. They argued that concerns were raised only after she had already been chosen, and one source said the move was an attempt to obstruct a professional appointment because it came from a right-wing government minister. That source and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir both said the real reason was that Schreiber is a religious woman who wears a head covering.