Knesset Speaker Refuses Vote on Limiting Supreme Court's Power

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana is refusing to convene a special recess session requested by 25 lawmakers, despite their demand to vote on a resolution asserting that the Supreme Court lacks the authority to cancel, freeze, or delay laws passed by the Knesset. The proposed resolution is intended to address the broader principle of judicial review over legislation, not just a specific law.

This move comes amid a critical juncture where the Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, has requested the Supreme Court to freeze the entirety of the controversial "Broadcasting Law." In her filing, the Attorney General cited an "exceptional and extreme accumulation of flaws" in the legislative process, stating that the petitions against the law have a "very high" chance of succeeding.

Despite these developments, Ohana has not yet scheduled the requested session, leaving the fundamental vote on the Knesset's legislative authority in limbo. The lawmakers seeking the session aim to establish a precedent that would limit the Supreme Court's intervention in Knesset-enacted laws.

Ohana's office stated that the request for the session was improperly submitted, as it was initiated by a minister and included signatures from ministers, violating Knesset rules that require such proposals during recess to be submitted by a regular Member of Knesset, not a minister, and with signatures from non-ministerial lawmakers. The office added that the request could be corrected and resubmitted according to proper procedure, contrasting the Knesset's adherence to law with the Supreme Court's actions.