Israeli Court Allows Extension for Land Authority Director
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Israel's High Court of Justice permitted an extension for Yehuda Eliyahu's role as acting director of the Israel Land Authority, overriding the legal advisor's opinion. Minister Haim Katz will extend Eliyahu's term for three months or until a permanent replacement is found. The court clarified term limits, counting Eliyahu's temporary service from a future date. The decision was welcomed by ministers who see Eliyahu as crucial for settlement expansion efforts.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- The High Court of Justice allowed an extension for Yehuda Eliyahu's tenure as acting director of the Israel Land Authority.
- Minister Haim Katz announced the extension will be for three months or until a permanent director is appointed.
- The court ruled on how to count Eliyahu's temporary service, excluding a prior acting period from term limits.
- Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu was involved in discussions leading to the decision to extend Eliyahu's role.
- Ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Haim Katz linked the extension to advancing Jewish settlement in Israel's Negev and Galilee regions.
- Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs criticized the legal advisor's opinion as an attempt to thwart government appointments.
The High Court of Justice on Thursday ruled to allow an extension for Yehuda Eliyahu's tenure as acting director of the Israel Land Authority (ILA), overriding the legal advisor's opinion regarding the calculation of his term limits. Following the decision, Minister of Construction and Housing Haim Katz announced he would extend Eliyahu's term for an additional three months, or until a permanent appointment is made, whichever comes first.
The justices, Yael Willner, Ofer Groskopf, and Khalid Kabub, determined that Eliyahu's temporary service should be counted from July 22, 2026, the date set for the end of his permanent directorship. This means his prior acting period will not be added to his subsequent term.
The court also advised that such disputes should ideally be resolved internally within the government before resorting to legal petitions. The justices stated they issued the clarification due to the short time remaining before the temporary appointment expires, hoping it would facilitate internal dialogue.
Minister Katz held a clarifying discussion with Eliyahu, attended by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, after which the decision to keep him in the role was made. Katz had previously summoned Eliyahu for a hearing in September regarding a potential dismissal but decided to retain him after reviewing his arguments. Katz expressed his satisfaction with the court's decision, emphasizing cooperation for Jewish settlement in the Galilee and Negev.
Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich also welcomed the extension, linking it to settlement expansion plans. He described the ILA as a key tool for this initiative and praised Eliyahu's performance. Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs stated the court accepted the government's position, allowing the extension without the Attorney General's consent. Fuchs criticized the legal advisor's stance as "baseless" and part of an effort to thwart government appointments.
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