Israeli Supreme Court Returns Election App Decision to Central Committee

The Israeli Supreme Court has returned the decision regarding the use of the 'Elector' application by political parties to the Central Elections Committee. The court's three-judge panel accepted the Likud party's argument that the committee's chairman, Judge Noam Sohlberg, did not have the authority to make the decision unilaterally. The judges stated they do not accept Sohlberg's or the Attorney General's position that he could decide alone, citing difficulties with the scope of his authority.

The court proposed that the full Elections Committee discuss the matter. If the parties do not agree to this proposal, a conditional order will be issued. The judges questioned the prosecution's representation of opposing viewpoints from the Attorney General, the committee chairman, and the committee itself.

Previously, Judge Sohlberg had ruled that real-time reporting to parties about citizens not voting, potentially via the Elector app, infringes on privacy and is illegal. The Likud appealed this decision, arguing Sohlberg lacked the authority and that the decision itself was flawed. The Supreme Court agreed with the lack of authority argument.

If the decision returns to the Elections Committee, where the coalition holds a majority, it is expected to be overturned. However, any new decision could be appealed again to the Supreme Court, which would then address the legality of using such data.

During the hearing, Likud's attorney, Ilan Bombach, described the cancellation of the app's use on the eve of elections as a "disaster" for the party, causing "enormous damage." He noted that while Sohlberg suggested legislative solutions, the Knesset cannot convene to pass laws during an election. Another judge questioned why other parties, like Shas, which also use Elector, did not join the Likud's appeal, to which Bombach responded that Likud's use is long-standing and involves significant investment in its database and application.