Israel Land Authority Acting Director's Term Extended Amid Legal Dispute

Minister of Construction and Housing Haim Katz has extended the tenure of Yehuda Eliyahu as acting director of the Israel Land Authority (ILA) for an additional three months. This decision follows a clarification meeting involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and comes after the High Court of Justice ruled on a dispute between ministers and legal advisors.

The court determined that the counting of acting director periods begins on July 22, excluding any prior service. This ruling supported the ministers' position over that of the Ministry of Housing's legal advisor, allowing for Eliyahu's extension without requiring the Attorney General's approval, provided the Civil Service Commissioner is consulted.

Eliyahu's permanent appointment as ILA director was canceled in July following petitions to the High Court, which ordered a new selection process. He has served as acting director since then. A recent disagreement arose between the ministers and the Ministry of Housing's legal counsel regarding the possibility of extending his term, with the ministers accusing the legal counsel of obstructing the court's ruling.

The dispute centered on whether to count the three months previously served by Idan Moalem as acting director. The ministers argued that Eliyahu's permanent appointment cancellation initiated a new acting period, a view upheld by the High Court. Minister Katz expressed satisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing cooperation for settlement development and stating Eliyahu's term is extended.

This extension comes despite an earlier September 9 hearing initiated by Katz concerning allegations of mismanagement, poor interpersonal relations, exclusion of women, and lack of cooperation on conscript rights. The hearing was postponed, and Katz has since withdrawn his initial claims and decided to extend Eliyahu's term.