Historic Victory for the Independence of Israel’s Civil Service
S.Horowitz & Co. represented the Histadrut, Israel’s largest labor organization, in a pivotal petition before the High Court of Justice, challenging the government’s attempt to appoint the Civil Service Commissioner through a non-competitive process. The Court annulled the appointment and ruled that future selections must follow a transparent, merit-based procedure.
The decision affirmed the Histadrut’s position that the Civil Service Commissioner plays a central role in maintaining the professionalism and non-partisan character of Israel’s public sector. The Court warned that direct political appointments threaten the integrity of civil service leadership and weaken the principle of equal opportunity in government roles.
The majority opinion, delivered by President Isaac Amit and Justice Daphne Barak-Erez, relied on extensive data presented in the petition, highlighting signs of politicization and institutional decline, and underscored the need for procedural safeguards in public appointments.
This landmark ruling is of great public importance, with far-reaching implications for appointments across the public sector, particularly to senior positions. It marks a significant victory for the principles of statehood, professionalism, and the independence of the public service in Israel.
Ronen Brumer, Ira Hardy and Tamar Rotenberg led the legal team.
