Judge Rejects Shas Party's Plea to Override Attorney General's Election Ban

Justice Noam Solberg of the Supreme Court has rejected a request by the Shas party to overturn a directive from the Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, to cancel a conference commemorating Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. The Attorney General had ordered the cancellation due to its proximity to the upcoming elections, citing concerns about potential election propaganda.

Shas had appealed to Justice Solberg, arguing that the Attorney General's directive exceeded her authority. However, Justice Solberg ruled that the Attorney General's decision was within her purview and that he, as a judge, could not intervene in such matters. He clarified the scope of his own judicial authority in this context.

The conference, intended to honor the late spiritual leader of Shas, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, was scheduled to take place on Thursday. The party sought to hold the event despite the Attorney General's order, leading to the legal challenge.