Netanyahu, Ministers Ask High Court to Block Legal Counsel from Derailing Land Authority Director Appointment
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and two ministers have appealed to the High Court of Justice, accusing the government's legal counsel of obstructing the appointment of a permanent director for the Israel Land Authority. They claim the legal counsel is preventing both the permanent appointment and the extension of the acting director's term, risking a leadership vacuum within three days. The ministers seek an order to enforce a previous court agreement and allow the interim extension while the permanent appointment process continues.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Prime Minister Netanyahu and two ministers filed an urgent appeal to the High Court of Justice.
- They accuse the government's legal counsel of obstructing the appointment of the Israel Land Authority director.
- The ministers warn the authority could be left without a director within three days.
- The appeal concerns a court-approved agreement for appointing a permanent director.
- They request the court allow an extension for the acting director's term.
- The legal counsel's actions are described as a "double obstruction" of a court ruling.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Construction and Housing Minister Haim Katz have filed an urgent appeal to the High Court of Justice, accusing the government's legal counsel of obstructing the appointment of a permanent director for the Israel Land Authority (ILA). The ministers claim the legal counsel is preventing the permanent appointment of Yehuda Eliyahu and simultaneously creating obstacles to extending his tenure as acting director. They warn that this could leave the ILA without any leadership within just three days.
The appeal centers on an agreement reached in July, which was approved as a court ruling. This agreement stipulated that an acting director would be appointed to the ILA, the selection committee would be replaced, and a permanent appointment process would proceed. However, the ministers argue that the legal counsel is now acting contrary to this ruling.
According to the appeal, the legal counsel initially blocked the formation of the new selection committee, citing election period restrictions. Now, they are reportedly seeking to prevent the extension of Eliyahu's temporary role. The ministers state that the legal counsel's actions are a "double obstruction" aimed at thwarting the court-approved plan to ensure managerial continuity at the ILA.
The ministers contend that the legal counsel's interpretation of the law, which requires the consent of the Civil Service Commissioner and the Attorney General for extending Eliyahu's temporary term, is erroneous and disregards the court's ruling. They point out that Eliyahu's interim appointment in July was made in accordance with legal directives.
Minister Katz had previously considered dismissing Eliyahu but decided against it after reviewing his responses to performance concerns. He then intended to extend Eliyahu's acting role for an additional three months or until a permanent appointment is finalized. However, the ministers assert that the legal counsel's stance is now impeding even this interim measure, which is crucial for the ILA's proper functioning.
The appeal warns that the "double obstruction" by the legal counsel will critically damage the ILA's operational continuity within three days. The Prime Minister and ministers are urgently requesting the High Court to enforce the original ruling, permit the extension of Eliyahu's temporary term, and facilitate the completion of the permanent appointment process.
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