Interior Minister Sa'ar Seeks to Appoint Director General as Planning Council Chair
Translated & summarized from Calcalist by baba
Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar is proposing to appoint Yisrael Ozen, the Director General of the Interior Ministry, as the interim chairman of the National Council for Planning and Construction. This move would replace Beni Arbiv, who was appointed to the position just four months prior. The proposal comes as Sa'ar himself was recently appointed Interior Minister in a transitional government, which faces limitations on senior appointments. The Attorney General's office has advised caution regarding such appointments during this period.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar wants to appoint Yisrael Ozen as interim chairman of the National Council for Planning and Construction.
- Ozen would replace Beni Arbiv, who was appointed to the council's chairmanship only four months ago.
- Sa'ar has not yet provided a reason for the proposed change in leadership.
- The appointment follows Sa'ar's recent addition of the Interior Ministry portfolio to his Foreign Ministry role.
- Transitional governments face restrictions on appointing senior officials, requiring careful justification.
New Interior Minister Gideon Sa'ar is seeking to appoint his ministry's Director General, Yisrael Ozen, as the interim chairman of the National Planning Directorate and the National Council for Planning and Construction. Ozen is slated to replace attorney Beni Arbiv, who was appointed to the council's chairmanship just four months ago. Sa'ar has not yet provided a reason for the proposed change. Arbiv's appointment, which was approved by a committee headed by retired Judge Shlomit Dotan, was finalized on July 15, 2026. Ozen himself signed off on Arbiv's appointment at the time in his capacity as Director General. Arbiv previously served as deputy head of the National Planning Directorate and acting chairman of the National Council. His replacement comes as the position of head of the National Planning Directorate is currently vacant. Sa'ar's request to place both roles under Ozen on a temporary basis follows his own appointment as Interior Minister on November 11, in addition to his role as Foreign Minister. This move occurs amidst restrictions on a transitional government appointing senior officials. The Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, previously advised ministers to refrain from irreversible decisions that could bind the next government, though routine operations and urgent, professionally vetted decisions are permitted. While interim appointments are allowed to ensure continuity, the necessity of replacing a current chairman with an interim appointee requires a specific review of the circumstances.
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