Netanyahu Considers New Election for State Comptroller Amid Legal Dispute

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's circle is reportedly concerned that if Attorney Michael Regev is not elected as State Comptroller, the government may face a comptroller whose views conflict with theirs in the next term. This comes after Justice Minister Yariv Levin publicly urged Regev to assume the role despite a Supreme Court ruling to the contrary. Levin stated on Kol Barama radio that there should be no hesitation and that Regev must take office without holding new elections for the position.

However, Regev has maintained that he will not assume the role without winning a repeat election, adhering to the Supreme Court's decision. Levin and other senior Likud officials have pressured Regev to take office regardless, but Regev insists on following the court ruling. If new elections are not held, Regev's team suggests he may resign.

Opposition MK Karin Elharar from Yesh Atid condemned Levin's call as dangerous and called for a contempt of court petition, warning that such defiance threatens Israeli democracy. The Movement for Quality Government in Israel also criticized Levin, calling him an anarchist for openly advocating disobedience to court rulings. They cited recent warnings from Supreme Court President Isaac Amit and justices Alex Stein and Ruth Ronen about the dangers of governmental authorities ignoring judicial decisions.

This controversy unfolds amid a broader constitutional crisis, following the government's announcement three days earlier that it would not comply with a Supreme Court ruling regarding the Second Authority Council. The Supreme Court judges warned that public officials who defy judicial decisions risk losing personal immunity from civil lawsuits. Levin responded sharply on Facebook, accusing the judges of acting like dictators and asserting that respecting the law and democratic decisions is a duty for all citizens, including Supreme Court justices.

Earlier reports revealed that Levin, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, and Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz privately opposed holding new elections for the State Comptroller and supported ignoring the Supreme Court ruling. Netanyahu's advisors have debated whether to comply with the court, with some suggesting a constitutional crisis could politically benefit them.