Israel Land Authority Faces Year Without Director Amid Appointment Controversy

The Israel Land Authority (ILA) is at risk of operating for nearly a year without a permanent director, as the appointment process for Yehuda Eliyahu has become entangled in legal and ethical objections. The ILA has been without a permanent head since December, with interim appointments failing to resolve the issue.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara has expressed opposition to Eliyahu's appointment due to his perceived closeness to Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who previously called for the dissolution of the ILA. The Supreme Court is currently reviewing the appointment process.

Adding to the complications, Efrat Porgatchia, legal advisor for the Ministry of Construction and Housing, has questioned the suitability of the appointment. She has requested the reactivation of the selection committee, which is slated to interview Eliyahu and two other candidates. The committee's composition was altered due to concerns about conflicts of interest involving Eliyahu.

Adding further uncertainty, the Minister of Construction and Housing, who also has a say in the appointment, recently interviewed Eliyahu, suggesting potential reservations. The ongoing delays mean the selection committee may not reconvene until after the upcoming holidays, potentially pushing a final decision past October.

Concerns have been raised that appointing Eliyahu so close to an election could be seen as appointing a crony, especially given the acknowledged connection between Eliyahu and Smotrich. Furthermore, a potential change in the Minister of Construction and Housing after the elections could lead to a new round of interviews, further complicating Eliyahu's prospects. The prolonged leadership vacuum at the ILA has already been linked to a decrease in land marketing in the open market.