Netanyahu Formalizes Appointment of Itzik Lari as Mifal HaPais Chair

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed this morning, Wednesday, on the appointment of Itzik Lari as chairman of Mifal HaPais, and the move took effect immediately. Lari had been reported earlier as the leading candidate, with the decision to choose him first published by Calcalist.

A selection committee recommended Lari for the post three weeks ago. The committee was led by Interior Ministry Director General Israel Auzan and included Orna Hozman Bechor, Drorit Steinmetz, acting director general of the Prime Minister's Office, Ruth Yosef, formerly chair of a district planning committee in the Interior Ministry, and Yehuda Zimrat, the ministry's legal adviser.

The chairmanship had been vacant on a permanent basis since the death of former chairman Avigdor Yitzhaki on April 5. The role carries influence over funding for projects in local authorities, making it a position sought after by municipal leaders.

Lari is 61 and served as director general of Jerusalem Municipality from 2019 until August, when he resigned to pursue the Mifal HaPais job. He has municipal experience and also a background in gambling and lotteries, having served as director general of Toto from 2011 to 2019 and earlier as deputy director general of the Israel Sports Betting Board.

Lari has the backing of Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion, an associate of Shas chairman Aryeh Deri. Although the prime minister formally signs the appointment, the coalition agreement says Deri, not Netanyahu, was to determine who would chair Mifal HaPais, and Netanyahu's signature was expected to be procedural. Deri supported Lari's appointment.