Orly Adas, the director-general of the Central Elections Committee, announced her resignation on Thursday after more than 15 years in the position, rebuffing efforts by Supreme Court Deputy Noam Sohlberg, the chairman of the committee, to have her remain in the position.

Her resignation months before a national election — to be held no later than October 2026 — comes amid heightened tensions between the CEC and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party, which is unhappy with recent additions to the body tasked with overseeing the voting process.

In a statement confirming that Adas would end her tenure in July, Sohlberg praised her professionalism and determination to ensure the smooth running of elections, noting his attempt to dissuade her from stepping down.

“Attorney Adas did not respond to my pleas to continue in her position until after the election,” said Sohlberg, a conservative judge often perceived by the government as more sympathetic to its causes. “I regret this, but I respect her decision, and wish to express my full appreciation and gratitude for her work over the years.”

Adas was appointed to head the committee in 2010 and led it through seven national elections — five of which were held between 2019 and 2022.

The committee is an independent state body responsible for managing parliamentary elections and protecting their integrity. It is chaired by a Supreme Court justice, currently Sohlberg, and comprises representatives of the various factions in the Knesset. It is responsible for tallying votes and has the power to disqualify parties ahead of elections.

A senior Likud official quoted by the Ynet news outlet on Thursday welcomed Adas’s resignation, describing it as an “important victory.”

“We didn’t trust her,” the official added of Adas.

According to Ynet, Adas had been threatening to resign from the committee since at least September, after Sohlberg approached her to discuss limiting........

© The Times of Israel