Israeli Attorney General Refuses to Defend Yehuda Eliyahu's Appointment as Israel Lands Authority CEO

The Israeli Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, informed the Supreme Court that the state will not defend the appointment of Yehuda Eliyahu as CEO of the Israel Lands Authority (ILA). She stated that the numerous flaws in the selection and appointment process justify its cancellation. Consequently, the government approved external legal representation by attorney Doron Taubman, who has previously represented the state in cases related to the military draft law.

The court hearing originally scheduled for Wednesday was postponed to the following Sunday amid ongoing petitions challenging Eliyahu's appointment. The Supreme Court had already issued a conditional order requiring the state to explain why the appointment should not be annulled. Political sources have indicated that Eliyahu's appointment is likely to be overturned, especially following the Attorney General's shift in position.

Yehuda Eliyahu, formerly head of the Settlement Administration at the Ministry of Defense, was ranked first by the selection committee with a score of 93, which described him as possessing "special and superior qualifications" compared to other candidates. His appointment was approved by the Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, and Minister of Construction and Housing. However, petitioners argue that the eligibility criteria were altered to allow his candidacy and that his close ties to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warrant a more rigorous review of the process.

The Israel Lands Authority manages approximately 93% of the country's land, overseeing land marketing, construction promotion, and development of land reserves. The authority had awaited a permanent CEO for over six months. The Supreme Court's decision on the appointment's fate is expected after the upcoming hearing on Sunday.