Knesset Speaker Asks High Court to Delay State Comptroller Election

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana informed the High Court of Justice that the election for a new State Comptroller should be postponed until after the 26th Knesset is convened on November 10, 2026. The country has been operating without a State Comptroller since early July 2026. Ohana conveyed his position through attorney Zion Amir, in response to a petition filed by Yaron Gadot, represented by attorney Avi Rimmon. Gadot's petition urged the court to order the Knesset to convene for the election.

Previously, the High Court had directed Ohana to convene the Knesset for this purpose. In his response, Ohana argued that the authority to set the date for the repeat election rests solely with the Knesset Speaker. He stated that since candidate Michael Ravilo has refused to assume the role and cannot be compelled to do so, the most reasonable course is to hold the election after the 26th Knesset convenes. Ohana believes that proximity to the election date and other considerations justify this stance, emphasizing that the delay should not obstruct the audit institution's function.

Ohana further noted that the Knesset acts as the electing body, but this does not negate the Speaker's discretion in managing the process. He asserted that delaying the election until the next Knesset convenes, reflecting the voters' will, is a balanced approach. He also pointed out that the composition of the Knesset is expected to change significantly, with one-third to half of the members potentially being new, which he considers a valid reason for postponement.

Meanwhile, the Knesset's Legal Advisor, Shagit Afik, informed the High Court that the ruling on the State Comptroller election should be implemented promptly, and a date for a repeat vote should be set as soon as possible. This implies her view that the election should occur during the current Knesset's term.

The process has been fraught with issues. In the initial vote on June 3, 2026, retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron received 60 votes, while Ravilo, attorney for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, received 57. A majority of 61 votes was required. Following the failure to reach a majority, Ohana called for a second round. Despite the vote being secret, some Likud members photographed their ballots supporting Ravilo, causing disruption. In a subsequent consultation, opposition members agreed to a repeat vote where Ravilo secured 61 votes against Elron's 57.

However, on July 1, 2026, the High Court issued an interim order freezing Ravilo's appointment. The following day, the court canceled the election entirely due to a significant procedural flaw, ordering a new vote. The term of the current State Comptroller, Matanyahu Engelman, ended two and a half months prior, on July 4, 2026, leaving the position vacant. Ohana has since refused to convene the Knesset for the election.