Finance Ministry director quits, apparently over disagreements with Smotrich

Finance Ministry Director General Shlomi Heisler on Wednesday informed Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich that he was resigning.

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Heisler is expected to end his tenure toward the end of January, before the final approval of the 2025 state budget.

The Kan public broadcaster reported that while Heisler’s reasons for quitting are officially related to his health and personal life, he and Smotrich have clashed over legislation that would enshrine Haredi draft exemptions and over the far-right minister’s treatment of professionals within the ministry.

According to the Walla news site, Heisler recently told associates that he was “fed up” and “can’t do this anymore.”

The Marker financial daily reported that Heisler was often bypassed in the Finance Ministry chain of command, and decisions were made without his input or involvement.

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The Marker said that Heisler frequently complained to colleagues that “it’s impossible to work like this” after Smotrich made decisions without consulting him.

The paper also reported that officials in the ministry are concerned that with Heisler’s resignation, there is no longer a respected professional at the helm to “challenge the political whims and problematic decisions” that Smotrich was wont to make “without professional justification.”

Heisler released a statement saying: “After two years, after the intense fighting in the war has ended, residents can return to their homes in the north and south… Due to personal circumstances, I asked the finance minister to end my tenure.”

“I have worked with the finance minister hand in hand and I am very sorry to be forced to end my role now,” he added.

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Heisler, who is not affiliated with any political parties or movements, previously held the position of chairman of the Interior Ministry’s planning council.

He was appointed in January 2023 by Smotrich to lead the Finance Ministry, and oversaw the passing of five state budgets over two years, as well as spearheading tax reform efforts and settling labor disputes between unions.

Smotrich described Heisler as a “first-rate professional,” praising him for passing budgets and “masterminding all the ministry’s departments.”

Heisler’s successor has not yet been named.

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