Israeli Justice Minister Pushes for State Comptroller Appointment Despite Supreme Court Ruling
Following the Israeli government's announcement that it will not comply with the Supreme Court's ruling on the Second Authority Council, Justice Minister Yariv Levin is intensifying pressure on attorney Michael Regev to assume the role of State Comptroller. Levin insists that "Regev must enter the position despite the Supreme Court ruling," while Regev has told senior Likud officials he will not take office without new elections. The Likud party is delaying a final decision partly due to upcoming primaries.
Last week, reports revealed that Levin, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, and coalition chairman Ofir Katz privately opposed holding repeat elections for the State Comptroller and support defying the Supreme Court ruling. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, involved in these consultations, currently does not back new elections but continues discussions on the matter. Regev, who has not begun transitioning into the Comptroller's office since the court issued a conditional order, is expected to clarify his stance to Netanyahu, with his team indicating he intends to comply with the court's decision.
The Supreme Court, led by President Isaac Amit, unanimously ruled that the election for State Comptroller was invalid and mandated a new vote in the Knesset. Deputy President Noam Sohlberg sharply criticized Speaker Ohana for allowing Knesset members to record their votes, warning it undermines the secrecy essential to free voting.
The Movement for Quality Government in Israel, which petitioned against Regev's appointment, praised the ruling for protecting the secret ballot, calling it fundamental to democracy and free choice. They warned that compromising voting integrity in the Knesset could foreshadow similar issues in general elections.
Likud MK Tali Gottlieb condemned the Supreme Court's decision on social media, asserting that the Knesset's choice should stand and accusing the court of overreach. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and MK Hanoch Milwitsky also called to ignore the court ruling, with Karhi urging immediate installation of Regev and Milwitsky labeling the court's decision illegal. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich criticized the judiciary for repeatedly blocking appointments of key national figures, warning against turning Israel into a "judicial dictatorship" and emphasizing that the electorate will ultimately decide at the polls.
