Israel's Supreme Court Rejects Bid to Appoint Permanent Head of Land Authority
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Israel's Supreme Court denied a request from Prime Minister Netanyahu and two ministers to permanently appoint Yehuda Eliyahu as Director General of the Israel Land Authority during the election period. The court suggested the government follow standard legal procedures if it disputes the Attorney General's opposition. This decision is part of a prolonged legal battle over Eliyahu's appointment, which was previously canceled due to procedural concerns. Additionally, Eliyahu faces a pre-dismissal hearing over alleged performance issues, and his temporary role also encounters legal obstacles.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The Supreme Court rejected a request to permanently appoint Yehuda Eliyahu as Director General of the Israel Land Authority.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu and Ministers Smotrich and Katz supported the appointment during the election period.
- The court advised the government to use "accepted channels" to resolve disputes with the Attorney General.
- Eliyahu's previous appointment was canceled due to procedural flaws and alleged conflicts of interest.
- Minister Haim Katz summoned Eliyahu for a pre-dismissal hearing over performance and conduct allegations.
- Eliyahu's temporary tenure as acting director also faces significant legal challenges.
Israel's Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a request from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Haim Katz to advance the permanent appointment of Yehuda Eliyahu as Director General of the Israel Land Authority during the election period. The court advised the government to pursue "accepted channels" if it disagreed with the Attorney General's position.
The ruling came after Netanyahu, Smotrich, and Katz petitioned the court to allow the reactivation of the selection committee for the permanent director, despite restrictions on senior appointments during elections. The court declined to approve the expedited appointment process, which had been opposed by the Attorney General.
This decision is part of an ongoing legal and governmental dispute over Eliyahu's appointment, who is reportedly close to Minister Smotrich. Eliyahu was previously selected for the role, but petitions were filed with the Supreme Court citing procedural flaws, personal and political connections, and potential conflicts of interest within the selection committee. The Attorney General later reversed her stance, agreeing that the flaws warranted canceling the appointment.
In July, the Supreme Court justices recommended canceling the appointment and returning the selection process to a reconstituted committee, leading to the appointment's cancellation. Eliyahu continued to serve as acting director in the interim.
Separately, a dispute arose regarding Eliyahu's continued temporary tenure. In September, Minister Haim Katz summoned Eliyahu for a pre-dismissal hearing based on allegations of managerial shortcomings, interpersonal issues, and gender exclusion, which were raised during the process but not judicially determined. The Likud party stated that Netanyahu supported Eliyahu's continued service and that he would not be dismissed.
Meanwhile, the end of Eliyahu's temporary term approached. According to a legal opinion from the Ministry of Construction and Housing's legal advisor, Efrat Prokchia, there is a "significant legal difficulty" in extending his acting role beyond October 15, indicating further legal challenges to his continued temporary position.
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