Israeli Government Agrees to Cancel Yehuda Eliyahu's Appointment as Israel Land Authority Director

The Israeli government has agreed to the Supreme Court judges' recommendation to cancel the appointment of Yehuda Eliyahu as director of the Israel Land Authority (ILA). The appointment process will be reconsidered by the selection committee following three petitions filed against Eliyahu's nomination. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Housing Minister Haim Katz informed the Supreme Court of their agreement with the proposal.

The Supreme Court ordered the reconsideration of the appointment with changes to the selection committee, replacing two members, Mehran Prozner and Professor Yadit Solberg, with new representatives. The committee will interview the top three candidates, including Eliyahu, and may interview additional candidates from the original pool of 14, though it is not obligated to do so. Until a final decision is made, an acting director will be appointed, potentially Eliyahu himself.

During the court hearing, Justice Yael Wilner criticized the appointment process, stating it contained significant flaws that could not be overlooked. Eliyahu previously served as head of the Settlement Administration at the Ministry of Defense, co-founded the Regavim NGO with Finance Minister Smotrich, and was CEO of the Mateh Binyamin Regional Council. Petitioners argued the appointment process was flawed, including lowered eligibility criteria and problematic committee composition and conclusions.

Justice Ofer Groskopf highlighted concerns about Eliyahu's special qualifications due to his connection to Minister Smotrich, while Justice Wilner noted the committee's limited inquiry into Eliyahu's qualifications. Justice Khaled Kabub remarked that Eliyahu's ties gave him an absolute advantage over other candidates. The petitions were submitted by the Academia for a Free Israel, the Arab Center for Alternative Planning, and the Women's Lobby, represented by various attorneys. Eliyahu was represented by attorney Yaron Kostelitz.