Israeli Government Sparks Constitutional Crisis Over Supreme Court Rulings

The Israeli political system remains in turmoil following the government's dramatic announcement that it will not comply with a Supreme Court ruling concerning the Second Authority for Television and Radio Council. Government Secretary Yossi Fox attempted to calm tensions by clarifying that the government’s intention was not to disobey court rulings but to criticize them. However, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi explicitly stated that the government intends to defy the court's decisions.

Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar, speaking on the "Kovnovik" program, said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would comply with the Supreme Court ruling, dismissing fears of a constitutional crisis. Fox emphasized that the government plans to use all legal means to overturn the court’s decision rather than outright disobey it. Meanwhile, Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara condemned the government’s stance as a serious attempt to undermine judicial authority and intimidate those enforcing court decisions.

Minister Karhi harshly criticized Baharav-Miara, accusing her of intimidating the government and Israeli citizens and predicting her removal. He also accused the Supreme Court of undermining the rule of law and vowed to restore it. Karhi responded to President Isaac Herzog’s condemnation by questioning the president’s silence on previous court decisions and asserting the government’s commitment to obeying the law, not what it views as unlawful court rulings.

Deputy Attorney General Dr. Gil Limon condemned the government’s move as an attempt to normalize systematic lawbreaking, highlighting that the government’s resolution explicitly ignores a Supreme Court interim order. The Israel Bar Association head, Amit Bechar, called the government’s stance a complete destruction of the rule of law and democracy, warning that it threatens press freedom and called for legal opposition to the decision.

Reports revealed that Justice Minister Levin warned activists that the current decision is just the beginning and that the next term will start with a constitutional crisis over judicial appointments. Sources close to Netanyahu said he approved the declaration against the Supreme Court behind the scenes but avoided the vote to prevent conflict of interest claims. A senior government official stated, "It is time to create a crisis with the Supreme Court."