Ilan Rom Appointed CEO of Israel Antiquities Authority After Esti Shreiber's Nomination Rejected

Following the disqualification of Esti Shreiber's appointment as CEO of the Israel Antiquities Authority, Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu announced he will appoint Ilan Rom to the position. Rom, who recently served as CEO of the Ministry of Finance and previously led the Binyamin Regional Council, was proposed to the Authority's council for immediate approval. Minister Eliyahu praised Rom's unique combination of deep connection to Israeli heritage and proven leadership in public, economic, and security sectors, highlighting his 25 years of military and intelligence experience at Mossad. Eliyahu emphasized Rom's academic background and broad professional expertise as assets that will help advance the Authority's strategic goals and safeguard national heritage assets.

The move follows a ruling last month by Judge Shulamit Dotan, who rejected Shreiber's appointment despite her passing the professional selection process and receiving legal approval from the Ministry of Heritage's legal advisor, Hanan Ehrlich. Dotan ruled that the minimum requirements set in the tender were legally insufficient, leading to the tender's cancellation. Critics familiar with the process argued that Shreiber met all tender criteria and that objections to the requirements surfaced only after her selection, after a lengthy process lasting several months. Minister Eliyahu has called for an immediate meeting of the Antiquities Authority council to discuss and confirm Rom's appointment.