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‘Lack of trust’: Economy Minister Barkat asks Competition Authority chief to quit

22 May 2023, 7:19 pm 1 Edit

Economy Minister Nir Barkat speaks during a conference in Haifa, March 21, 2023. (Shir Torem/Flash90)

Economy Minister Nir Barkat asks the director of the Israel Competition Authority in his ministry, Michal Cohen, to quit, citing “deep lack of trust,” Hebrew media reports.

Barkat reportedly says the lack of trust has caused “a lack of ability to continue working like this, when the professional differences are many and the Authority head refuses to adopt and implement the minister’s policy.”

Even though it belongs to the Economy Ministry, the Competition Authority is independent and is not subordinate to the minister.

Michal Cohen, director-general of the Israel Competition Authority, speaks during an Economic Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem, January 16, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90/File)