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

The Israeli government unanimously approved a declaration on Sunday stating it will not recognize any decisions made by the Second Authority Council unless the council meets the explicit legal quorum requirements. This move follows a Supreme Court ruling last month that reinstated the council, which had fallen below the minimum member threshold after several resignations. The court's decision, delivered by President Isaac Amit and Justices Alex Stein and Ruth Ronen, froze the government's March appointments of Dr. Yifat Ben Hai Segev as chair and other new council members, effectively allowing the outgoing council to continue operating and consider the acquisition of Channel 13 by a tech group led by Asaf Rappaport, a Wiz co-founder.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Justice Minister Yariv Levin spearheaded the government's response, emphasizing that the government will not accept reliance on actions taken by a council that does not meet the statutory quorum. Karhi stated, "The rule of law is not the rule of judges," criticizing the court for overriding clear legal conditions and asserting that decisions by a non-compliant council are "worthless." Levin added that the law binds everyone, including the judiciary, and that the government will use all legal means to restore proper rule of law and uphold the separation of powers.

The journalists' organization condemned the government's refusal to comply with the Supreme Court, accusing it of undermining democracy and the judiciary to block the Channel 13 deal. They called the situation a state of emergency, warning that silence now would silence future voices. The dispute centers on the legal quorum for the Second Authority Council, a key regulator in Israel's communications sector, and reflects broader tensions between the government and judiciary over authority and governance.

The government’s stance means the outgoing council remains in place for now, but the conflict over the council’s legitimacy and the Channel 13 acquisition is likely to continue, with further legal and political battles expected.