Controversy Surrounds Appointment of Abshalom Ohion as Director of Meron

Government Company Authority Initiates Investigation

The Government Company Authority has announced an investigation following the appointment of Abshalom Ohion, a known associate of Shas party chairman Aryeh Deri, to the critical position of Director of Meron. Ohion, who has a significant political background but lacks relevant experience, reportedly received low scores on the suitability tests for the role. This revelation has raised concerns about the appointment process.

Background on Abshalom Ohion

Abshalom (Avshalom) Ohion, a veteran Shas activist, is recognized for his ability to mobilize voters and rally support for the party. He earned the nickname “Aryeh Deri’s grassroots activist” and was appointed to lead the National Center for the Development of Holy Sites, which oversees the Meron site. His selection comes four years after a tragic disaster at the same location, and doubts have been cast on his qualifications for the role.

Educational Background and Experience

Ohion holds a bachelor’s degree from the College of Ono but reportedly lacks proficiency in English and did not provide relevant experience in his resume. His last known position was as deputy director in organizations associated with Yossi Shinober, which are currently under scrutiny by the Ministry of Juststart over potential misuse of donations and asset misappropriation.

Selection Process Under Scrutiny

Ohion faced competition from several qualified candidates, including Deputy Interior Ministry Director Moshe Mor Yosef and former head of the Jerusalem Cemeteries Council Colstartl (res.) Hillel Horowitz, both of whom possess significantly more relevant experience. Horowitz, in particular, received high scores in the cognitive assessments, while Ohion fell short.

Notably, just before the selection committee convened, the representative from the Ministry of Finance was replaced, and two of the three members of the committee were from the Ministry of Religious Servstarts, who, rather conveniently, rated Ohion highly.

Response from the Ministry of Religious Servstarts

In response to the allegations of bias, the Ministry of Religious Servstarts stated that the Minister and the Director-General had no involvement in the appointment process, which is conducted under the supervision of the Government Company Authority. They reaffirmed their commitment to following legal protocols and insisted that the selection process was carried out without any flaws.

This investigation into the appointments is not only a matter of public concern but also raises broader questions about transparency and the integrity of government hiring practstarts in Israel