Israeli Government Refuses to Comply with Supreme Court Ruling on Second Authority Council

On Sunday, the Israeli government officially announced it will not comply with a Supreme Court ruling concerning the Second Authority Council. The decision follows the court's June 17, 2026, ruling that reinstated the council from the previous government despite its membership falling below the legally mandated minimum threshold. Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi stated that the government will not recognize any decisions, approvals, appointments, or actions taken by the council unless it meets the explicit legal requirements.

The ministers emphasized that the rule of law applies to all branches of government, including the judiciary, and that a court ruling contradicting clear statutory language cannot confer authority not granted by law. They declared that the government will reject any reliance on actions taken by the council if it does not fulfill the legal criteria. Levin criticized the ruling as undermining the principle of separation of powers, asserting that the Knesset enacts laws and the courts must implement them accordingly.

Karhi added that Supreme Court justices are not the legislature and cannot override explicit legal conditions, even if inconvenient. He stressed that the legal requirement for a two-thirds quorum is mandatory, not advisory, and any council operating below this threshold is invalid and its decisions null. The government vowed to continue using all legal means to uphold the rule of law and prevent judicial overreach in the future.