Israeli Journalists' Association Board Moves to Oust Chairman Har-Zahav
Translated & summarized from Globes by baba
The management board of the Israeli Journalists' Association has begun the process to oust Chairman Haim Har-Zahav, citing serious actions that endanger the organization. The board will hold a special Zoom assembly for members to vote on the recommendation. Har-Zahav disputes the legality of the meeting and plans to call for new general elections. The move follows a severe trust crisis over allegations of exceeding authority and mishandling staff relations.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- The Journalists' Association board is moving to oust Chairman Haim Har-Zahav due to alleged actions endangering the organization.
- A special Zoom assembly will be held for members to vote on the recommendation to dismiss Har-Zahav.
- Har-Zahav disputes the legality of the board's meeting and plans to call for new general elections.
- The ouster attempt follows a trust crisis over allegations of exceeding authority and mishandling staff.
- The proposed dismissal requires a 60% majority vote from the members attending the assembly.
The management board of the Journalists' and Women Journalists' Association has initiated proceedings to remove its chairman, Haim Har-Zahav, from his position. The board convened an urgent, unscheduled meeting on Sunday, deciding to proceed with the ouster due to what they described as "problematic and serious actions" by Har-Zahav that "endanger the integrity and proper functioning of the organization." The board stated that multiple attempts to resolve the issues internally had failed, and Har-Zahav was given an opportunity to present his case but declined.
Har-Zahav's associates claim the meeting was not convened legally and violated a previous ruling by the organization's tribunal. As the association's bylaws do not explicitly detail a procedure for removing a chairman, the management board consulted the organization's legal advisor, Amir Basha, for guidance on a "particularly stringent procedure."
The board plans to convene a special Zoom assembly for all members to discuss and vote on the recommendation to dismiss Har-Zahav. The proposed procedure requires a 60% majority vote, mirroring the requirement for removing board members. A detailed account of the events will be sent to members, with both concise and detailed versions available.
Har-Zahav, currently employed by Channel 13 News, is expected to call for new general elections for both the chairman and the management board. Sources indicate that Channel 13 employees constitute a significant bloc within the organization, potentially bolstering Har-Zahav's support. The board's decision follows a severe and ongoing trust crisis, fueled by allegations of Har-Zahav exceeding his authority, excessive involvement in daily operations, an attempted unilateral dismissal of CEO Michal Gra-Margalit, and a complaint letter from four professional staff members.
The situation escalated when Har-Zahav sent a defamation lawsuit threat to staff members who had complained about him. In response, the board provided legal backing to the staff and opted to pursue his removal. To manage the strained relationship between Har-Zahav and the CEO, communication is to be channeled through a small forum, with bi-weekly consultations involving both.
Har-Zahav stated he did not attend the meeting and plans to ask members to vote for new elections for all organizational institutions. The management board responded that "the decision speaks for itself."
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