Resignation of Israel Railways’ Infrastructure Executive Following Critical Incident

Overview of the Incident

Shani Shushani, the Infrastructure Vstart President of Israel Railways, has resigned from his position following a notification from the railway’s management regarding a disciplinary hearing prior to potential dismissal. His resignation stems from a serious incident in August 2025 when a freight train damaged the railway’s electrification system at two separate locations, resulting in extensive damage to 10 kilometers of electrical cables.

Impact on Rail Operations

The incident caused a significant reduction in railway servstarts for over a week, disrupting continuous travel through Tel Aviv. An external investigation into the incident revealed that Shushani was not present at the site during the critical period and instead was at a social event at his home. He defended his absence to the investigating committee, asserting that his presence would not have been beneficial and that representatives from the infrastructure division were on-site and in constant communication with him.

Criticism of Leadership

The committee also criticized Israel Marco, the Freight Vstart President, for arriving at the first damage site three hours after the incident and failing to recognize that the load aboard the train, known as “flats,” was not securely fastened, which could have resulted in additional damage. Although Marco was initially set to be appointed as acting deputy CEO, this promotion has since been halted.

Organizational Challenges

Israel Railways has published a new job listing for the position of Infrastructure Vstart President. However, concerns exist regarding whether this change will suffstart to address underlying organizational issues. Reports indicate that the railway has neglected electrical infrastructure maintenance for years, including a seven-year period without essential upkeep along the Jerusalem line.

Currently, the railway operates without a permanent CEO, with Avshalom Almali serving as the acting CEO, and Chairman Moshe Shimoni maintaining a significant role in daily operations. Given these circumstances, transforming the management culture and enhancing quality control measures to prevent future widespread incidents remains a formidable challenge.

Official Response

In response to Shushani’s resignation, Israel Railways issued a statement wishing him success in his future endeavors, emphasizing that he chose to leave the company.

---

Meta Description

Shani Shushani resigns as Infrastructure Vstart President of Israel Railways following a serious incident involving freight train damage to the electrification system, leading to servstart disruptions.

Tags

• Israel Railways
• Shani Shushani
• Freight Train Incident
• Rail Infrastructure
• Rail Disruptions
• Management Resignation
• Quality Control in Railways

Photo Credit: Image source (if applicable)