President Herzog Condemns Government's Defiance of Supreme Court Ruling on Broadcasting Authority

Following the Israeli government's unanimous decision not to recognize any actions, appointments, or decisions made by the Second Authority for Television and Radio Council unless they meet explicit legal criteria, President Isaac Herzog issued a strong condemnation. On July 5, 2026, Herzog posted on X that disobedience to court rulings is a "red line" that must never be crossed, emphasizing that such declarations undermine national unity.

The government's resolution came in direct response to a June Supreme Court ruling that reinstated the council appointed by the previous government despite its membership falling below the legally required minimum. The government argued that the court's decision contradicts the clear language of the law and therefore refuses to recognize any authority or actions derived from it. It also warned media industry players against relying on decisions made by the current council, which it deems illegitimate.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, who proposed the resolution, hailed it as a historic step to restore the Jewish and democratic character of the state and rejected the court's ruling as unlawful. Karhi asserted that all actions taken under the court's decision will be retroactively nullified once the rule of law is restored. Likud MK Ariel Kallner praised the move as a return to fundamental legal principles.

Opposition leaders sharply criticized the government's stance. Yair Lapid called a government that rejects Supreme Court rulings "illegal," affirming the council members' appointments remain valid. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned that defying court rulings leads to anarchy and state breakdown, promising reforms after a change in government. Democratic Party leader Yair Golan accused the government of undermining the rule of law ahead of elections and warned of public backlash. MKs Merav Ben Ari and Naama Lazimi labeled the government anarchistic and criminal, accusing it of provoking a constitutional crisis and harming democracy and free media.

The controversy highlights escalating tensions between the Israeli government and judiciary over the authority and legitimacy of regulatory bodies, with significant political and legal implications ahead.