Israeli Bar Association Demands Knesset Convene to Elect State Comptroller After Supreme Court Ruling

More than a month and a half after the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that the Knesset must convene to elect a new State Comptroller, the chairman of the Israeli Bar Association, Amit Bechar, has formally demanded that Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana call a plenary session to hold the vote. The Supreme Court invalidated the previous election of Michal Rabillo due to breaches in voting secrecy and ordered a repeat election. However, Ohana has refused to convene the Knesset, claiming the court acted beyond its authority and that the Knesset is not obligated to comply.

Since early July, Israel has lacked a sitting State Comptroller, creating a legal vacuum that has prevented the approval of protection orders related to public corruption investigations. Ten such requests have been dismissed outright due to the absence of an authorized official to grant them. This situation has left whistleblowers and government employees without legal protections when reporting misconduct.

Bechar's letter to Ohana and the Knesset legal advisor, Shagit Afik, emphasized that the refusal to convene the Knesset violates the Supreme Court ruling and undermines the legislative authority's legal and administrative responsibilities. The Supreme Court decision was issued about 50 days ago by justices Noam Solberg, Daphne Barak-Erez, and Gila Kanfi-Steinitz.

The controversy has also drawn political reactions. Justice Minister Yariv Levin opposed holding repeat elections, arguing that Rabillo should assume the position despite the court ruling. Opposition figures, including Gadi Eizenkot, Yair Golan, and Karin Elharar, criticized Levin's stance, with Elharar announcing plans to file a contempt of court motion.

The ongoing impasse highlights tensions between the judiciary and the legislature over the appointment process and the rule of law in Israel.