Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana Seeks Private Legal Representation in State Comptroller Case

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana has requested separate legal representation from the Knesset's legal counsel in petitions filed against him concerning the failure to elect a new State Comptroller. This request comes after the Knesset's legal advisor, Adv. Sagit Afik, expressed support for implementing a Supreme Court ruling that mandates a repeat vote for the position. Consequently, Ohana will be represented by a private attorney, while Afik will represent the Knesset.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also not complying with the court's decision. The Supreme Court had previously invalidated the vote in which Adv. Michael Rabilo was chosen as Comptroller. Last week, the court ordered the Knesset Speaker and the Knesset itself to declare their positions on holding a new vote by the upcoming Tuesday, immediately after Yom Kippur.

Ohana, through the Knesset's legal counsel, requested an extension to submit his response, citing disagreements between his position and the legal advisor's stance on the petition. He indicated a need for time to find suitable private counsel and prepare his preliminary response. The Knesset's representative, Adv. Yitzhak Bart, informed the court that the Knesset agrees to this request and asked for an extension until October 11, 2026, for Ohana's submission.

Reports suggest Afik believes a repeat vote is necessary, as previously ordered by the Supreme Court two and a half months ago. She is expected to submit her detailed opinion soon, having consistently advocated for a prompt repeat vote. The initial vote on June 3 saw 60 MKs vote for retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron, versus 57 for Michael Rabilo, who represented Netanyahu and the government in various petitions. A required majority of 61 was not reached, leading Ohana to call a second round.

During the second vote, MKs from the Likud party, including Chanoch Milvitzky and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, controversially photographed their ballots showing support for Rabilo, violating the legal advisor's instructions. This led to a halt in voting. Following consultations, a repeat vote was held where Rabilo secured 61 votes against Elron's 57. However, the Supreme Court ruled on July 2 that a repeat vote was necessary due to a "flaw that may have affected the election results."