High Court orders state to pay environmental group NIS 20,000 in legal costs over Planning Administration suit

The High Court accepts a petition submitted by the environmental advocacy organization Adam Teva V’Din charging that a search committee set up to recommend a director general for the fast-track Planning Administration did not have any representatives with the appropriate professional background in planning to properly assess candidates’ skills.

Adam Teva V’Din’s CEO Amit Bracha says his organization will continue to “stand guard” so that appointments that have significant implications for the environment meet the full requirements of the law.

Rafi Elmaliach, who worked for years at the Israel Land Authority, most recently as senior director of planning and projects, was chosen for the post and took office in August 2022 for five years.

Justice Isaac Amit rules that a new search committee should be established and that the appointment be reviewed within six months.

He does not relate to Adam Teva V’Din’s assertion that Elmaliach faces a potential conflict of interest because of his long tenure at the ILA, with which the Planning Administration works closely.

Nor does he propose sacking Elmaliach, noting his “extensive experience in the field.”

He orders the state to pay Adam Teva V’Din’s court costs of NIS 20,000.