New Knesset Finance Committee Chair Faces Conflict of Interest Questions

Member of Knesset Liran Avishar Ben-Hurin from the "Achdut" party is set to become the first woman to chair the Knesset's Finance Committee, a significant appointment within the new "Change Bloc" coalition's legislative agenda. The committee holds considerable power over the state budget, including approvals for budget transfers, changes, taxation policies, and economic legislation.

However, the appointment has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to her husband's business dealings. Itay Ben-Hurin, her husband, is a co-CEO and 50% owner of the public relations and strategic consulting firm "Ben-Hurin Alexandrovich." This firm represents major entities in key sectors such as banking, capital markets, real estate, energy, food, and retail, including prominent clients like Mizrahi Tefahot Bank, Strauss Group, Fox Group, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Altshuler Shaham, and Cal.

Avishar Ben-Hurin previously served as Director-General of the Ministry of Communications, a role that also required her to implement a conflict of interest arrangement due to her husband's business activities. In response to the concerns, the "Achdut" party stated that Avishar Ben-Hurin will assume her role and operate lawfully and ethically, including adhering to conflict of interest arrangements, as she has done throughout her twenty-year public service career, including her previous roles.