Knesset to Fund Speaker Ohana's Separate Legal Defense in State Comptroller Election Case

The Knesset will pay NIS 88,500 to the law office of attorney Zion Amir for the separate legal representation of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana in a High Court petition concerning the election of the State Comptroller. A Knesset professional committee approved the non-tendered contract, valued at NIS 75,000 plus VAT and legal expenses. This private representation was deemed necessary due to a divergence between Ohana's position and that of the Knesset's legal advisor, Sagit Afik. Afik had previously stated in July that the Knesset should hold new elections for the comptroller promptly, in line with a High Court ruling, but Ohana had not yet convened the plenum for this purpose. Ohana requested separate representation from the Knesset in the new petition challenging the delay in holding the elections. This is an unusual step, as typically the Knesset's legal advisor represents the institution and advises the Speaker, with the Knesset's legal department handling internal parliamentary proceedings. In this instance, Ohana will present a distinct stance through external counsel, differing from the Knesset's internal legal advice. The committee's protocol cited urgency, the sensitivity of the proceedings, and the need for "trusting relations" as justifications for bypassing a tender. The Knesset's deputy comptroller confirmed that the price quoted by Amir was deemed reasonable after consultation with the legal department. The issue originated from the State Comptroller election in June. In the first round, retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron received 60 votes and attorney Michael Rabilo received 57. As neither secured the required 61 votes, a second round was held, during which several Knesset members documented their votes. Rabilo won the second round, but the High Court invalidated the election due to the breach of voting secrecy and ordered a new election. Nearly three months have passed since then without a repeat vote. Afik maintains that the court's ruling must be implemented, while Ohana wishes to present a separate position to the High Court, for which the Knesset will now fund Amir's services.