From the Liveblog of
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Despite AG’s objection, cabinet set to not extend civil service commissioner’s term
Sam Sokol is the Times of Israel's political correspondent. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
The cabinet is due to mark the end of Civil Service Commissioner Daniel Hershkowitz’s tenure during its next meeting tomorrow amidst an ongoing struggle over the appointment of his replacement.
While Hershkowitz’s term was extended in early September until December 12 or until another permanent commissioner could be appointed, he is leaving office without a successor and the government is only expected to appoint a temporary placeholder commissioner.
This is due to a recent High Court of Justice decision to freeze the appointment of his replacement as a result of the ongoing legal battle over the procedure for appointing the next civil service commissioner. In August, the government approved a measure allowing Netanyahu to directly nominate the next commissioner, rather than using a search committee.
Responding to High Court petitions on the matter, Baharav-Miara has argued that the plan is illegal and “creates a new situation whereby the prime minister will be able to choose a person he wishes to be appointed to the position who does not have to meet minimum professional threshold conditions of experience, skills or suitability.”
Baharav-Miara’s office has told the Prime Minister’s Office that it supports extending Hershkowitz’s term until the matter is resolved.
