Minister of Agriculture Raful Eitan is promoting the appointment of friends to head Agridev Agricultural Development. The appointments have not yet been approved by the Ben-Dror committee, both of whom are criticizing the Minister’s judgement on appointing officials.
Eitan is advocating the appointment of Nathan Shunri, an old army buddy, as general manager. He would replace Amram Olmert who resigned in January. Shunri is a member of Kibbutz Beit Hashita and is responsible for the food division of Hamashbir.
Several Agridev directors oppose the appointment claiming that Shunri lacks the proper qualifications. They claim that he has no degree in economics, and no experience in dealing with international businesses.
One of the opponents, Prof. Gideon Lidzhinsky, a member of the board of directors, was in line for the post of chairman of the board. He claims that he was obliged to resign from the board of directors because of these developments.
After his resignation, Eitan began supporting another friend, Rafi Ramon for this post. The appointment is on the agenda for the board’s Wednesday meeting.
Ramon was manager of the Ministry of Agriculture’s machinery and technology division. He resigned to pursue private business. Today, he works in the Ministry of Agriculture as special advisor to the Minister on foreign workers, and serves as a director at Agridev.
Reportedly, this appointment also has not received approval of the Ben-Dror committee.
The Ministry of Agriculture's spokesman responded: "Minister Raful Eitan advocates the appointment of persons solely on their merits".