Northern Reconstruction Effort Criticized for Political Appointments Amidst Stalled Recovery

More than two years after missile strikes devastated northern Israel, residents report little tangible progress in rebuilding their communities. In Shtula, a restaurant and former home remain in ruins, while in Kiryat Shmona, the municipal stadium is still unusable. Many residents have left, and the cities are struggling to recover, with basic amenities like swimming pools and playgrounds absent in some areas. "There's no movement here," stated Dudu Hatan, a Shtula resident whose home was destroyed. "Children have nothing to look for here. It's all desolation."

This sentiment of governmental inaction is echoed by residents of Kiryat Shmona. "The stadium is a mirror image of what's happening here," said Herzl Ben Asher. "Another day, another week, another month, and nothing is happening on the ground. The city isn't rising, it's stagnating." Raz Malka, founder of Lobby 1701, added that the expected "growth effect" from reconstruction efforts has not materialized, with over a third of Kiryat Shmona's residents not having returned.

The government established a directorate, "Tnu'fa," to oversee the rehabilitation of the North. Initially a small unit with nine employees and a budget of 26 million shekels, it was later expanded and moved to the Ministry of Finance, becoming the "Tnu'fa" Directorate under Minister Zeev Elkin and headed by Aviad Friedman. The directorate now employs 42 staff members with an operational budget of 50 million shekels, and has been criticized for hiring numerous consultants, planners, and project managers.

An investigation revealed that many of the positions within the "Tnu'fa" Directorate were filled with political activists, primarily from the Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu parties, often with exemptions from standard tender processes. Examples include Robert Abramov, described as a "lead for industry, agriculture, and water," who is also reportedly managing a department at an accounting firm. The former Deputy Mayor of Kiryat Shmona, responsible for urban renewal, is a former Likud member and deputy mayor. Rotem Ohana, heading the Western Galilee unit, is the chairman of the Likud council in Kiryat Shmona. Other appointments include former mayors and council heads from Likud.

Adding to the criticism, the "Tnu'fa" Directorate's offices are located 80 kilometers south of the front-line communities they are meant to serve. Local council heads have expressed frustration, with some refusing the project managers assigned to them, viewing the appointments as a waste of public funds and an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy. "From so many project managers, you can't see the forest," commented David Azulai, head of the Metula Local Council. "It's a waste of money. Give the money directly to businesses and residents."

The "Tnu'fa" Directorate responded that 33 professional employees have been appointed, most residing in the North, and that appointments were made based on qualifications, with political activity prohibited. They also stated that two additional offices have been established closer to the front lines. The directorate also defended specific appointments, noting that Robert Abramov and Rotem Ohana had resigned from their political affiliations before taking their roles, and that the former Deputy Mayor of Kiryat Shmona underwent an approved vetting process. Shimon Lancry stated he is proud to use his experience for the national effort, and Yisrael Beiteinu denied any connection to the appointments.