The Movement for Quality Government in Israel welcomes the firm position of the attorney general, who takes the same stance as the Movement – that government decision 2129 regarding the appointment of the next civil service commissioner is illegal and should be annulled. In her response, the attorney general emphasized the dramatic change that decision 2129 brings: while for decades the appointment of the commissioner was subject to a comprehensive review by the appointments committee, this government decision allows the prime minister to appoint any candidate, without meeting minimal conditions or a competency test, as long as no ethical defect is found. This change was made without professional considerations or proper reasoning, and is contrary to the legal position presented to the government.
The attorney general’s position reinforces the Movement’s claims that the decision taken was extremely unreasonable, ignoring key considerations and in contrast to previous government decisions, and that it seriously harms the independence and professionalism of the civil service. The Movement calls on the government to act in accordance with the position of the attorney general, to cancel government decision 2129 and to hold a renewed and in-depth discussion on the issue of the appointment procedure for the civil service commissioner. The government must adopt a permanent, professional and transparent appointment procedure, which will ensure the selection of the most suitable candidate for this vital position, while maintaining their independence and ability to act without fear or favor for the benefit of the public and the civil service.
