IAI board of directors had approved the appointment of Amir Peretz as chairman

IAI reported to the stock exchange that the board of directors had approved the appointment of Amir Peretz as chairman. This, after the senior appointments committee rejected Peretz's candidacy for the position and the government nevertheless approved the appointment in a precedent-setting decision. At the same time, the High Court is expected to hear a petition filed by the Movement for Quality of Government.
Last October, the Glaur Committee for the Approval of Senior Public Service Appointments rejected the appointment of the former defense minister to the post due to Peretz's political affiliation with the defense minister who elected him to the post, Bnei Gantz, and due to Peretz's lack of business and managerial experience. Four billion annually.
Despite the committee's decision last Sunday, the government approved the appointment promoted by Ganz and Finance Minister Avigdor Lieberman, who called on members of the committee to resign during the discussion. Three ministers abstained: Merav Michaeli, Nitzan Horowitz and Tamar Zandberg.
Lieberman said that "if the committee thinks that the discretion of the defense minister and the finance minister is flawed and they are irresponsible people, then it is worth turning off the light right now. I expect that at the end of the discussion committee members will draw conclusions and make the right decision. Orally but also in writing. " Ganz did not join Lieberman's calls during the cabinet meeting.
When the news of Peretz was announced, government officials expressed bewilderment about the choice of chairman in a political rather than a business form, as Harel Locker and former Yair Shamir were, precisely at a time when the company is seeking the trust of the capital market and preparing for a 25% stake in Tel Aviv.
Gantz said that this was an extreme case in which the person who served as defense minister who pushed the industries 'flagship project - Iron Dome, a cabinet member, economy minister and chairman of the country's largest workers' union, which manages billions of shekels - was prevented from serving as a director in IAI. Of government approval is exceptional, but necessary and done with the approval of the ombudsman.
It was also said in the Gantz environment that in the current situation where IAI has economic and strategic challenges, Peretz will be able to contribute much of his experience, as well as to the privatization challenge he is currently facing a problem with employees, an issue that Peretz is skilled and knowledgeable about.
Minister Michaeli, who abstained from voting on the appointment, said afterward that "our government comes after a government that has severely damaged the gatekeepers and therefore we have a special responsibility in strengthening them. I read carefully the committee decision responsible for approving the appointments. The strong political affiliation with the defense minister in charge of the company is also very strong. This strong.
"Therefore, it is appropriate that this decision did not reach the government for a vote. As someone who supported Peretz many times in the past until he chose to enter Netanyahu's government together with Blue and White, a decision I fought with all my might, I have to do with his problematic political affiliation. "I decided to abstain from voting. I am glad that some of the Meretz ministers joined me." The Movement for the Quality of Government: "The government did something it did not do and bypassed the position of the professional elements while completely overriding their position. Political appointments of associates are a bad omen in Israeli politics and thus no change government behaves. Finance Minister Lieberman's threats against the committee
The chairman of Religious Zionism, MK Bezalel Smutrich, said in a surprising response that "Amir Peretz's approval as chairman of IAI is correct and required. Unlike others, I have no political interest and no prior knowledge of his suitability or suitability for the job. What I have is common sense. If the current defense minister believes it is a good appointment and is the one responsible for it then his decision is more important than any advisory committee.