The Israeli government has announced the appointment of Yehuda Eliyahu, a settler known for his pro-annexation views, as the head of the Israeli Land Authority, which is responsible for allocating and managing government lands, including settlements in the West Bank. This decision came after the approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last Monday.
Eliyahu is considered close to the right-wing minister Bezalel Smotrich and previously served as the head of the Settlement Administration in the Ministry of Defense, overseeing the largest land confiscation operation in the West Bank in recent years. His selection was approved by the Public Appointments Committee, despite opposition from the committee's legal advisor, who pointed out that his long-standing relationship with Smotrich presents a conflict of interest.
Details of the Appointment
The Israeli Land Authority manages approximately 92% of government lands, equivalent to about 20 million dunams, and oversees a budget estimated in the billions of shekels. The authority plays a central role in allocating land for housing, infrastructure, and development projects, and is also involved in managing lands in Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
The Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli described Eliyahu's appointment as