Itamar Ben Gvir Condemns Supreme Court Over Blocking Closure of Army Radio Station

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's National Security Minister, sharply criticized the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the government's move to shut down the military radio station Galei Tzahal. He accused the court of blatant interference in decisions reserved for elected officials, stating the court is conducting a "coup against democracy" by stripping a democratically elected government of its legal powers. Ben Gvir challenged the judges to form their own political party if they wish to govern, condemning their actions as arrogant and unauthorized nullification of government decisions.

Ben Gvir also outlined his political demands for the next coalition, insisting that Otzma Yehudit will only join a government that enacts a full judicial reform, including establishing a constitutional court and immediately dismissing what he called "corrupt legal advisors."

In related reactions, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi accused the Supreme Court of overstepping its bounds and called for a firm government response to uphold the authority of the elected officials and the Knesset laws. Karhi questioned why the Knesset Speaker ignored a request by 25 members to debate the ruling affirming the supremacy of Knesset laws over the court's decisions. He warned that failure to defend the government's and people's dignity against what he termed judicial bullying risks public disillusionment with democracy itself.