Knesset Legal Advisor Asks High Court Not to Rule on State Comptroller Selection Now

The Knesset's legal advisor, Shagit Afik, has asked the Supreme Court of Israel (Bagatz) not to rule at this time on the method for selecting the next State Comptroller. Afik submitted her legal opinion late Friday, arguing that it would be best to allow the next Knesset to examine its options. She suggested that if the vote occurs after the election of the 26th Knesset Speaker, that individual should also have a chance to weigh in.

Afik noted that a July 2026 Supreme Court ruling mandated only a second round of voting, finding no fault with the initial candidate selection process. She believes this procedure should continue in the next Knesset. The delay is also due to the prolonged absence of a State Comptroller and potential future implications for court rulings. However, she also acknowledged the importance of not precluding the discretion of the incoming Knesset, which would be bound by a process initiated by the outgoing one.

In any event, the selection of a new State Comptroller is postponed until the next Knesset convenes, as the remaining time before the October 27th elections is insufficient for a session. The current Speaker of the Knesset, Amir Ohana, who opposed convening the Knesset before the elections, also informed the Supreme Court that the selection process should only occur after the vote. Ohana stated that the second round of voting between candidates Michael Ravilo and Yosef Elron should proceed without restarting the entire process.

The new Knesset is scheduled to convene on November 10, 2026, meaning the vote for State Comptroller will not take place before mid-December. The State Comptroller's office has been operating without a permanent comptroller since early July 2026. The two candidates in the June election were Ravilo, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's lawyer, and Supreme Court Justice Elron. In the first round, Elron received 60 votes and Ravilo 57. As a majority of 61 was required, a second round was held where Ravilo received 60 votes and Elron 57.

However, Likud members photographed their ballots, violating Afik's original instructions. After the session was suspended, Ohana convened a consultation and decided on a repeat vote, a decision supported by the opposition. Yaron Gadot, who petitioned against the failure to elect a comptroller, informed the Supreme Court through his attorney, Avi Rimon, that if the selection process is not completed by the current Knesset, it should begin anew in the next Knesset, allowing for new candidates.

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, asked by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Ronen for her position, told the court she saw no reason to appear in the proceedings, as the matter falls under the purview of the Knesset's legal advisor.