Karhi at Srugim: The High Court Is Sabotaging the Public and Trying to Discourage Right-Wing Voters
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi appeared on the Srugim website’s ‘Iron Dome’ program and addressed the reform he is advancing in the communications market. In an interview with Nataniel Izak, Karhi discussed his plans for the television market: “Everyone, in recent weeks, understands that we are heading toward the passage of the reform, this huge reform that will open up the market, that will break their monopoly on the consciousness of Channel 12.” He added that the opposition and the legal adviser are trying to thwart the law instead of improving it, but said he is determined to continue: “State officials do not have more privileges, in my view, than employees in the private sector. I can sit with my CEO until 4 a.m. and get done what needs to be done.”
Message to the religious-Zionist sector: “Srugim could become a channel” Karhi explained that the current structure of the communications market prevents new bodies from entering, and noted that the reform will allow sites like ‘Srugim’ to expand their activity to television without the current regulatory barriers. “When the law passes, Srugim will be able to become a channel... We are requiring them in the law, allocating 10 new slots for new news channels that will be established and will receive a place for free.” He emphasized that Channel 12 fears the expected competition: “Channel 12 knows that every channel added takes away some of its viewers... Suddenly there is room for a wider variety, suddenly 15, suddenly 16.”
The attack on the judiciary and the media A significant part of the interview was devoted to what the minister said was the connection between the judicial system and the major media outlets. Karhi expressed sweeping support for MK Tally Gotliv and her struggle against the system. “Tally is doing holy work... She stands together with a few others at the spearhead of the struggle against the gang of the rule of law, and its selective enforcement.” He added that there is a shared interest between the bodies: “The judicial system protects the media from my reform not by chance, because the media protects them... the media and the judiciary are flattering each other.” Karhi also attacked the High Court’s intervention in government decisions, such as the appointment of the Second Authority Council: “The High Court, with an interim order, just like that, with no explanation and nothing, returned the council of the previous government... The High Court is sabotaging the people, sabotaging the government.”
Selective enforcement is glaring Regarding the issue of Tally Gotliv’s immunity and comparisons with other Knesset members, the minister claimed there is clear discrimination by the enforcement system. “Gilad Kariv definitely took information out of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee... The selective enforcement is glaring.” In his view, the system’s goal is to discourage right-wing voters: “My fear is that they are suppressing voting, that they are making part of the public understand that you have no reason to go to the ballot box, we decide everything here.”
“There will be a change in the High Court, everyone will finish their term” Despite the difficulties, Karhi is optimistic about the future and promises that the government will continue to lead determined right-wing policy, including changing the face of the judicial system when the current justices’ terms end. “The High Court justices are finishing their term in the next two years... We need to give the power to continue this thing.” He summed up the matter by saying that the elected officials are the “real gatekeepers” who are being tested by the public.
Criticism of Netanyahu: “Like the sin of the spies” At the end of the interview, the minister addressed the shifting criticism of Prime Minister Netanyahu on security and diplomatic issues, comparing it to the sin of the spies. “They came and inserted their interpretation... The criticism was written in advance. They will always find something, like the spies, but we see things with the right eye.” He concluded with confidence in the continuation of the military campaign: “The State of Israel will continue, ‘I will pursue my enemies and overtake them, and not return until they are destroyed.’ We will continue to destroy our enemies, the deterrent power has returned.”
