Israeli Supreme Court Suspends Michael Regev's Appointment as State Comptroller Pending Legal Review

The Israeli Supreme Court has issued an interim injunction freezing Michael Regev's appointment as State Comptroller until it rules on petitions challenging his selection. The decision came after opposition parties, Knesset members, the Bar Association, and civil society groups filed petitions alleging procedural violations in the appointment process, particularly breaches of the secrecy of the parliamentary vote.

About ten days prior, the court had already issued a conditional order requiring the Knesset Speaker, the Knesset, and the government to justify why Regev's appointment should not be canceled. The petitions claim that some Knesset members displayed their ballots to others before voting, violating the secret ballot requirement enshrined in the Basic Law: State Comptroller. Additionally, concerns were raised about a conflict of interest since Regev is the attorney for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though the justices indicated their primary concern lies with the voting procedure rather than the conflict of interest issue.

The court emphasized the need to allow sufficient time to issue a final ruling before Regev assumes office, given the outgoing comptroller's term is ending. The interim injunction ensures Regev will not take office until the Supreme Court delivers its final verdict, which it promised to do "as soon as possible."