Netanyahu's Comptroller Pick Withdraws After Court Rejection

By אור גואטה

Translated & summarized from Davar by baba

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Hebrew · 3 newsrooms covering

Michael Ravilo, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nominee for State Comptroller, has withdrawn his candidacy after the Supreme Court invalidated his election due to procedural flaws. The court had ordered a new vote, but Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana refused, leading to criticism and a stalled process. The position has been vacant since July, impacting whistleblower protection. Ravilo's withdrawal may pave the way for another candidate, but the final decision rests with the new Knesset.

The story in 5 lines · by baba

Michael Ravilo withdrew his candidacy for State Comptroller after his election was voided by the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court cited procedural flaws, including documented votes, in its decision to cancel Ravilo's election.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana refused to hold a repeat vote, drawing sharp criticism from the Supreme Court.
The State Comptroller position has been vacant since early July, affecting whistleblower protection.
Ravilo's withdrawal leaves the door open for another candidate, but the new Knesset will make the final decision.

Netanyahu's Comptroller Pick Withdraws After Court Rejection — Editorial illustration generated by baba News, not a photograph of the event.

Michael Ravilo, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's nominee for State Comptroller, has officially withdrawn his candidacy. Ravilo informed Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana in a letter that he will not seek the position again. This decision follows the Supreme Court's July ruling that invalidated Ravilo's election due to procedural flaws in the Knesset vote, ordering a new election.

Ravilo, formerly Netanyahu's personal lawyer, was initially elected on June 3rd after two rounds of voting. In the second round, he secured 61 votes against retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron's 57. However, the election was marred by controversy as coalition members documented their votes behind the curtain, violating the secrecy principle. The Supreme Court unanimously agreed that this fundamental flaw could have influenced the outcome and ordered a repeat vote.

Knesset Speaker Ohana refused to hold the repeat vote, asserting the court lacked the authority to intervene. Despite a subsequent Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday that criticized Ohana's defiance as a severe blow to governance and ordered him to pay 10,000 shekels in legal costs, the election has remained stalled. The court dismissed a further petition to compel Ohana to hold the vote, citing difficulties in implementing the ruling after the recent general election.

The State Comptroller position has been vacant since Matanyahu Engelman's term ended in early July. Ravilo's withdrawal now leaves the door open for Elron's potential selection, should the new Knesset decide not to consider new candidates. However, the decision on how to proceed with the election and who will be the next State Comptroller rests with the incoming 26th Knesset, which is set to be sworn in next Tuesday.

The ongoing delay has practical consequences, including a backlog of ten requests for protection orders for whistleblowers, as the authority to grant these orders lies with the State Comptroller in their capacity as Public Complaints Commissioner.