Israeli Parliament Legal Advisor Urges Immediate Re-Election for State Comptroller

The legal advisor to the Knesset, Attorney Shagit Afik, has advised that the Knesset must comply with the Supreme Court ruling and hold new elections for the State Comptroller within two weeks. Afik's opinion, shared with Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, states there is no legal barrier to conducting the election even after the Knesset has been dissolved. She emphasized that despite the parliamentary recess or dissolution, the Speaker is obligated to convene a session to elect the State Comptroller, citing the importance of the role and the principle of parliamentary continuity.

This follows the Supreme Court's annulment of the previous vote that elected Attorney Michael Regev to the position. Afik's legal opinion stresses that the Knesset must promptly initiate a new election process. Meanwhile, Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Coalition Chairman MK Ofir Katz have publicly opposed the court ruling, insisting that Regev should assume the role without a new vote. Levin stated, "Attorney Regev should simply take office," while Katz argued that the Supreme Court cannot demand a re-election and that the decision to assume the role rests solely with Regev.

However, Regev himself has declared he will not act contrary to the Supreme Court's decision and will not take office until a new election is held. The situation leaves the State Comptroller position temporarily vacant, with the Supreme Court holding responsibility for the current impasse.