Itamar Ben Gvir Calls Supreme Court Ruling Against Army Radio Closure a 'Coup Against Democracy'

Itamar Ben Gvir, Israel's National Security Minister and leader of the Otzma Yehudit party, sharply criticized the Supreme Court's decision to block the government's plan to shut down Army Radio (Galei Tzahal). He described the ruling as a "coup against democracy," accusing the court of stripping a democratically elected government of its legal powers. Ben Gvir argued that if Supreme Court justices want to make governmental decisions, they should form a political party and run for the Knesset instead. He condemned the judges for acting with arrogance and overstepping their authority by overturning decisions made by the elected government.

Ben Gvir also outlined Otzma Yehudit's conditions for joining the next government, demanding a comprehensive judicial reform. This includes establishing a constitutional court and immediately dismissing what he called "corrupt legal advisers." His comments came shortly after the Supreme Court's ruling, signaling a deepening conflict between the judiciary and certain political factions over the balance of power in Israel.

The controversy centers on the future of Galei Tzahal, a long-standing military radio station, and broader debates about judicial authority and government control. Ben Gvir's stance reflects Otzma Yehudit's push for significant changes to Israel's legal system, which they argue is necessary to restore governmental sovereignty.