Transport Ministry Official's Unofficial Appointment Sparks Civil Service Probe
A Ministry of Transport official acted as head of the licensing division for four years without formal appointment. A newly published tender sparked complaints over tailored criteria.
Ministry of Transport Official Served Without Formal Appointment
Yossi Nezri, the district manager for Jerusalem and The South at the Ministry of Transport's licensing division, acted as the acting head of the licensing division for roughly four years without a formal appointment or meeting the mandatory threshold requirements, according to a report published on Wednesday by TheMarker. Nezri, who previously served as the workers committee chairman at the ministry, filled the role following the departure of former manager Efi Rosen in April 2022 despite lacking the required academic degree. Documents reviewed by TheMarker indicate that since at least 2023, Nezri signed professional documents as the division head, including guidelines for training driving examiners and extending certificate validity.
Tender Timing Sparks Allegations of Tailored Requirements
This week, following Nezri's completion of his bachelor's degree studies, a tender for the position was published with an application deadline set for November 1. Threshold conditions for the role include an academic degree, six years of professional experience, and three years of managerial experience, including managing a budget of 17 million shekels and a team of at least 25 employees. A complaint submitted to the Civil Service Commission argues that the prolonged delay in filling the post alongside the specific timing and criteria of the tender raises suspicions that the process was engineered to secure Nezri's official appointment.
Official Responses and Civil Service Commission Review
The Ministry of Transport stated that Nezri was only asked to assist in managing the division during a planned organizational restructure and received no acting appointment or salary bonus for the additional duties. The Civil Service Commission confirmed that Nezri was never officially approved as the acting head of the licensing division and noted that the position remained vacant in state systems. The commission rejected allegations regarding tailored prerequisites, asserting that the requirements were updated in accordance with senior public service guidelines.
"The requirements were updated in accordance with the tasks of the position and customary rules for senior positions in the civil service, regardless of the identity of potential candidates," stated the Civil Service Commission.
