In 1952, he was drafted into the Israeli Defense Forces and stationed at a base close to Tirat Carmel, then a major absorption center for immigrants from Iraq, Morocco and Romania.

Upon his release from the army he worked in security at a local factory and then moved to Autocars Co., one of the founding car industries in Israel, which manufactured the Susita, Carmel and Sabra.

He persuaded the company owner Yitzhak Shovinsky to build a factory in Tirat Carmel, which became an important source of employment for the local inhabitants.

Upon the death of Prime Minister Levi Eshkol in February 1969, the elections for the 7th Knesset were brought forward to October that year.

Eliash instituted an "open door" policy in his office, meeting with thousands of citizens while serving as mayor.

[citation needed] In January 1971 Eliash met with the Prime Minister Golda Meir in order to find a solution for the severe housing shortage in Tirat Carmel.

Youth clubs for Betar and Bnei Akiva were established, a sports center with a swimming pool, a main road was paved to the entrance of the city, and a monument was built in memory of the Israeli casualties of war that were originally from the Tirat Carmel, as well the health system expanding from a few working hours a day, to 24/7.

During the ceremony, Honorary citizenship was granted to Knesset member, Menachem Begin, who in time became the sixth Prime Minister of Israel.