Knesset delays vote on increasing political appointments

An attempt by two right-wing lawmakers to allow ministers greater latitude in making political appointments in their ministries was delayed for two weeks on Sunday after ministers failed to reach agreement in a stormy cabinet meeting, the Ynet news site reported.

A proposal put forward by Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked (Jewish Home) and Tourism Minister Yariv Levin (Likud) would see the appointment, without tender, of a deputy director general in all government offices with at last 150 employees.

Shaked and Levin have said that the addition of a deputy director general who is committed to the policies for which a minister has been elected  would help the latter to implement those policies more effectively.

They have also stressed that strict criteria would apply to appointments, including that applicants would need six to seven years of experience in the relevant field, of which four to five were in senior management positions.

Furthermore, they would not responsible for hiring and firing, nor for evaluating staff. And they would be defined as project managers rather than deputy directors general.

Opponents say the move to exclude such appointments from tenders would open the door to political appointments and cronyism.

In an opinion, Leah Rakover, legal adviser to the Justice Ministry, said that there was a fear that ministers would not necessarily choose the most suitable person for the job but would appoint on the basis of “extraneous considerations” and, in doing so, could harm the trust the public had in the executive branch of government.

Furthermore, it risked crushing the aspirations for promotion of excellent professionals who had devoted their lives to public service.

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (Shas) and Housing Minister Yoav Galant (Kulanu) said before the cabinet meeting that the criteria needed for appointment were so strict that they would make filling posts difficult.