Israel's elections chief resigns; court appoints acting replacement

Israel's Central Elections Committee named a new acting director-general on Sunday. Dean Livne, who recently retired as the committee's legal adviser, will take the position vacated by Orly Adas. Adas announced earlier this month she would resign in July after 15 years leading the elections body.

Noam Sohlberg, the Supreme Court judge who chairs the committee, said he chose Livne because the panel needed experienced leadership immediately. Adas's resignation came only months before a national election, and Sohlberg said he had to act fast. "An experienced person, possessing the knowledge and familiarity required to perform the task, serves in the position immediately," Sohlberg said, in order to ensure "functional continuity."

Sohlberg said his first choice for the role, someone already on the committee's staff, declined the position. He then turned to Livne, who had served as the committee's legal adviser for more than a decade before retiring just three months ago. Sohlberg cited Livne's "extensive experience, familiarity with election laws," and other skills.

The next national election must take place by the end of October 2026, though the exact date has not been set. Sohlberg said there was no time to run a formal search before then. A permanent replacement will be found through a search committee after the election occurs.

The Central Elections Committee is an independent state body responsible for managing parliamentary elections. It sits under a Supreme Court judge and includes representatives from various Knesset factions. The committee counts votes and has the power to block parties from running.

Adas stepped down amid heightened tension between the committee and Netanyahu's Likud party. The Haaretz newspaper reported, citing sources close to Adas, that she resigned because attacks by right-wing politicians had alarmed her. She feared the criticism would damage public trust in the election process. Sohlberg said he had tried to convince her to stay but failed.

Likud officials have been unhappy with recent additions to the committee. In March, the committee appointed Intel executive Yifat Siminovski as legal adviser to replace Livne. Netanyahu's attorney challenged the selection, arguing Siminovski was unqualified and the process was flawed. Sohlberg rejected these claims as "baseless."

In an interview last month with Kan public broadcaster, Livne expressed concern about the coming election. "This election will be critical for the country," he said. "Its results will likely determine the fate of the country for many years to come."

Livne warned of threats to the vote's integrity. "We've seen that one of the players — one or more — are trying to cast doubt on the results even before there are results," he said. Some observers interpreted this as a reference to Netanyahu.

Right-wing politicians attacked Sohlberg's decision to appoint Livne. Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli, a Likud member, called it a "scandalous political appointment that casts a heavy shadow over the integrity of Israel's upcoming election." Chikli questioned how someone who suspected election fraud could fairly oversee the vote count and declare a winner.

Likud MK Avichay Buaron also criticized the move, calling it "worrying and invalid." He described Livne as "clearly politically biased" and "identified with the left." Buaron noted that Livne had warned about election fraud and now would manage the very system he doubted.

Others supported the appointment. Yashar party chief MK Gadi Eisenkot praised Livne as an "experienced, principled, and responsible professional." Eisenkot said the upcoming election required "a professional, steady, and statesmanlike hand that knows how to lead the system responsibly."

The conflict reflects broader efforts by Netanyahu's government to gain control over state legal advisers and electoral systems. In March 2023, a Likud lawmaker introduced a bill that would let the Knesset speaker appoint the elections committee chairman, though the bill was quickly withdrawn.