The Deputy President of the Supreme Court, Judge Noam Solberg, announced today (Sunday) that he has decided to appoint the Attorney Din Livne Acting Director General of the Central Elections Committee for the 2026 elections.
The judge wrote: "I must ensure that the position is filled by an experienced person, with the knowledge and familiarity required to perform the job - immediately. There is no time left for adaptation and learning. Functional continuity is required in the position of Director General of the Central Elections Committee.".
Attorney Livne served as the legal advisor to the Central Elections Committee for many years - and resigned from his position about three months ago.
Now Livneh will return to the committee to replace the veteran CEO. Orly Eds who announced a dramatic retirement - which made waves in the political system, especially after it was revealed that the chairman of the committee, Judge Noam Solberg, had urged her to remain in her position at least until after the upcoming election campaign, but she rejected his request.
Shortly after the report, despite announcing about a week and a half ago that she would remain in her position until July in order not to harm the committee's work, Addas announced that she would not stay for the duration and requested to go on vacation immediately.
The notice was delivered to Judge Solberg a short time ago, after she had previously pledged to stay for the purpose of an orderly overlap.
The Elections Committee reported: The retiring CEO announced that she is going on vacation.
In his reasons for choosing Attorney Livne, the judge wrote: "During his term, Attorney Livne was responsible for legal advice to all of the committee's institutions and departments, was a senior member of its management, and had experience in various operations and projects. Many of the parties I consulted believed that Attorney Livne was the most suitable person to fill the position at this time.".
Judge Solberg added that after the 2026 elections, a search committee will be formed to assist in finding a permanent appointment for the committee's director general.
The Likud strongly attacked the decision to appoint Livne.
MK Avichai Boaron He wrote: "The man is clearly politically biased. Someone who undermines public confidence in the elections in advance cannot be the one in charge of them. The Elections Committee is not a place for people from a political camp, but for a professional, balanced, and agenda-free appointment.".
Minister Amichai Shikli Attack: "Mr. Solberg, are you serious? Do you think it's reasonable to appoint a person who just took part in a learning tour of the elections in Hungary on behalf of the radical left organization IDEA - the New Israel Foundation, alongside a number of opposition politicians, and place him in the position of CEO of the Elections Committee?!
""A man who only a few weeks ago, in an interview with the 'Zman Emet' program, doubted that the leaders of the national camp would accept the election results. Does it seem reasonable to you that the man who is supposed to manage the purity of the count, the disqualifications, and the announcement of the winner is already attributing malicious intentions to half of the voters?!
""This is not what a professional appointment looks like. This is a scandalous political appointment that casts a heavy shadow on the purity of elections in Israel in the upcoming system.".
""And by the way, how surprising that the opposition is already rushing to congratulate the appointment - she is the one who gives it. A shameful appointment that joins a long line of decisions in which you have shown zero conservatism and zero backbone.".
The political commentator Fellow He wrote: "Livne has been going around everywhere lately, sowing hints and warnings about election fraud and not recognizing their results - which, by the way, are two contradictory things.
""There is poetic justice in that he will now have to guard against the thieves he warned against.".
Segal further revealed: "A month ago, there was a tour of opposition members and a journalist in Israel on behalf of a left-wing association in the elections in Hungary. I wonder what would have happened to someone who had traveled there on behalf of the Samaria Council, together with Zvi Sukkot, and then been appointed to the sensitive position.".
The political reporter Michael Shemesh He wrote: "To understand the lawlessness in the Elections Committee - just less than two weeks ago, Judge Solberg announced that Orly Ades would continue in her position until the end of July, in full function, in order to ensure the work routine and for the purpose of an orderly overlap.
""Now because of eight people that Adas doesn't tolerate very well, she is leaving the position immediately.".
