Housing and Construction Minister Chaim Katz has announced he will proceed with a disciplinary hearing for Yehuda Eliahu, acting head of the Israel Land Authority (ILA), in open defiance of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's directive to halt the process.
The confrontation began when Katz summoned Eliahu for a hearing, triggering backlash from right-wing coalition members. Netanyahu intervened personally, declaring that Eliahu would not be removed under any circumstances. However, Katz has now stated he intends to conduct the hearing regardless of the Prime Minister's position, warning that he has experience leading rebellions, a reference to his role in opposing the 2005 Gaza disengagement.
Katz rejected claims that the hearing was politically motivated or connected to appointment requests. Instead, he cited "serious allegations of severe mismanagement at the ILA" that reached his desk, including "problematic human resources practices and exclusion of women, raising genuine concerns about his suitability to manage the authority." He also pointed to Eliahu's alleged lack of cooperation on expanding rights and benefits for career military personnel and their families.
The minister stated that all issues would be examined during the hearing, which would be conducted "with an open heart and willing spirit, in accordance with proper administrative procedures." He added a veiled warning to the Prime Minister and his critics: if no agreement is reached, he would appoint an acting replacement to advance Jewish settlement in the Negev and Galilee, a national priority at the top of his agenda. Katz emphasized the need for a director capable of implementing essential reforms in staffing and citizen services.
