Expanded Supreme Court panel hears challenges to state comptroller appointment

An expanded panel of three Supreme Court justices, led by Deputy President Noam Sohlberg and including Gila Kanfy-Steinitz and Ruth Ronen, heard petitions on Thursday against the appointment of Israel’s new state comptroller. The petitions seek to disqualify attorney Rabilo from the post, with the main claims focusing on the legality of the election process in the Knesset and an alleged conflict of interest involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The petitioners argue that during the second vote held in the Knesset, coalition lawmakers seriously undermined the secrecy of the ballot. They also say the comptroller-designate cannot properly serve because of ties that create a conflict with Netanyahu. The broad list of challengers includes the Movement for Quality Government, Blue and White, MK Karin Elharrar, Yesh Atid, the protest movements Israelis and Brothers in Arms, the Israel Bar Association, and Labor MK Naama Lazimi.

The hearing turned tense early on. Movement for Quality Government chairman Adv. Eliad Shraga objected to the order of arguments, prompting sharp criticism from Sohlberg, who said, “Ressler wrote a petition with no legal reasoning at all. A one-page petition.” He then told Shraga, “Your petition did not exhaust legal remedies.” Kanfy-Steinitz also rebuked Shraga and Adv. Ressler, saying the filings were “one step away from outright dismissal.”

A notable development before the hearing was that retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron joined the petitioners’ side. Elron had competed for the comptroller position against Rabilo and was not ultimately selected, and he has taken a firm stance against the legality of the appointment process.