Just one week after Israel Railways became an independent body, splitting off from the Ports Authority, CEO Yossi Snir has been told to leave his post.
Though no departure date has been set, chairman Moshe Leon informed Snir on Tuesday that the Israel Railways board had elected to bid him farewell. Snir was supposed to be in office until December 2006.
No official reason was given, although sources yesterday floated various explanations for the sudden shuffle. Some blamed a political difference with Transportation Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
Snir refused to comment yesterday, while Leon said he did not respond to informal personal conversations. Lieberman's media adviser said the minister was no longer involved in Israel Railways' processes, as it was now an independent government body.
Snir, who took the post in December 2001, was appointed by then-Transport Minister Ephraim Sneh, who had refused to extend the contract of Amos Uzani, widely considered to be successful in the position.
Snir's appointment was no shoo-in: He had to fight a court campaign led by the Movement for Quality Government in Israel and Uzani, who claimed the appointment was political and nonprofessional. The High Court ruled that, although there had been flaws in choosing Snir, Sneh's decision had not been politically motivated.
The court ruled that Uzani should be reconsidered for the post along with the others. However, Uzani withdrew his candidacy a few days later.
