Netanyahu's Pick Withdraws Candidacy for State Comptroller

Attorney Michael Rabilo, who was supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has decided to withdraw his candidacy for the position of State Comptroller. Rabilo's previous election to the role in the last Knesset was invalidated by the High Court of Justice (Bagatz) due to a breach of voting secrecy.

Rabilo was initially elected in June with 61 votes, defeating retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron. However, the vote was marred by Knesset members documenting their ballots, violating the principle of secret voting. The High Court ruled that this constituted a significant flaw and ordered a new vote.

Following the court's decision, the outgoing Knesset Speaker, Amir Ohana, refused to schedule a repeat vote. Yesterday, the High Court dismissed a petition to compel him to do so, citing the change in Knesset composition and the difficulty of continuing the previous election process in the new Knesset. The court left open the question of how future elections for the comptroller would be conducted.

With the Knesset's composition changed, the race for State Comptroller is expected to reopen. Rabilo's withdrawal leaves Justice Elron as the sole remaining candidate. Elron, who previously served on the Supreme Court and garnered 57 votes in the prior election, had the support of opposition parties.