Knesset Speaker Rejects High Court's Call for a New Vote on Israel's State Comptroller

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana said he is rejecting the Supreme Court justices' proposal to hold a repeat election for state comptroller, arguing that “the Knesset has already had its say.” The dispute centers on the election of Attorney Michael Ravilo, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s lawyer, who was chosen last week by a 61 to 57 vote over retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron.

At the hearing, the justices said flaws appeared in the process because the secrecy of the ballot was compromised. Petitioners argued that members of Knesset documented how they voted, undermining the confidential nature of the election, and some also claimed Ravilo was in a severe conflict of interest because of his work for Netanyahu.

The court rejected that conflict-of-interest claim, but the justices, Deputy President Noam Sohlberg and Justices Gila Kanfi-Steinitz and Ruth Ronen, said they intended to issue an order nisi over the secrecy issue and suggested holding a new vote. They said, “We intend to issue an order nisi on the secrecy issue, not on the conflict-of-interest issue. There is currently an unwanted cloud. Some of the votes are problematic, and Knesset members acted against the Knesset legal adviser’s instructions.”

The petitions said coalition lawmakers were required to record themselves voting for Ravilo in the second round after he lost the first round. The Supreme Court is expected to issue the order nisi and instruct the Knesset to explain why a repeat vote should not be held. Ravilo is scheduled to enter office on July 4.