Finance Minister Smotrich Gains Transport Powers Amid Conflict of Interest Concerns

The Israeli government is set to approve a transfer of several transport-related authorities from Transportation and Road Safety Minister Miri Regev to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich during its weekly meeting on Sunday. This move follows a conflict of interest arising after Regev hired attorney Amit Hadad for private legal representation. According to the proposed decision, Regev's powers concerning the Eilat Port Company and the issuance of annual vehicle licensing test approvals will be reassigned to Smotrich. The reason is that these responsibilities could affect parties represented by Hadad, creating a potential conflict.

A legal opinion attached to the proposal highlighted concerns about Regev making decisions involving Hadad's clients, recommending the transfer of these powers to another minister to preserve government integrity and avoid bias or conflicts of interest. The transferred authorities include all powers related to the Eilat Port Company and the annual vehicle licensing tests.

Smotrich currently serves as a minister in the Defense Ministry but holds fewer portfolios compared to Haim Katz, who is the Minister of Tourism, Construction and Housing, Health, and Welfare and Social Security. This adjustment expands Smotrich's responsibilities to include significant transport-related duties alongside his existing roles.