The businessman close to Haim Katz - and the heavy pressure exerted to appoint the director general of the Israel Land Authority

Senior Likud members clashed over Minister Haim Katz's intention to fire Yehuda Eliyahu from his position as acting director general of the Israel Land Authority (ILA). Before his appointment, businessman Nadav Bilala, a Katz associate, faced pressure from Yoni Danino, a confidant of Eliyahu, to help secure the appointment. The appointment was approved but later overturned by the High Court, leaving Eliyahu as acting director. Katz tried to fire him, but Prime Minister Netanyahu intervened and extended his tenure.

Senior Likud members clashed over the intention of Housing and Construction Minister Haim Katz to fire Yehuda Eliyahu from his position as acting director general of the Israel Land Authority (ILA). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was forced to intervene and announced that he would extend Eliyahu's appointment as acting director, sparking a political storm. Behind the scenes, before Eliyahu's appointment to the position on May 4, pressure was exerted on businessman Nadav Bilala, an associate of Minister Katz, to help approve the appointment. Yoni Danino, a confidant of Eliyahu and a settlement activist also close to Minister Bezalel Smotrich, contacted Bilala via phone calls and two meetings at his home. It is unclear whether Bilala complied with the requests. The appointment was approved, but two months ago the High Court overturned it, and Eliyahu was only appointed as acting director. Eliyahu denied the allegations and claimed he was unaware of the meetings.

The businessman close to Haim Katz - and the heavy pressure exerted to appoint the director general of the Israel Land Authority