Israel's Supreme Court Criticizes Knesset Speaker Over State Comptroller Election Delay

Israel's Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition seeking to compel Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana to schedule a new vote for the State Comptroller. However, the court issued a strong rebuke to Ohana, stating that the prolonged delay in fulfilling a previous court order to hold the election "severely harms the rule of law and governance." The judges ordered Ohana to pay 10,000 shekels in legal costs.

The ruling comes after months of controversy surrounding the selection process for the next State Comptroller. The saga began on June 3, 2026, when the Knesset convened to elect a successor to Matanyahu Engelman. The candidates were attorney Michael Ravilo and retired judge Yosef Elron. After neither candidate secured the required majority in the first round, a second vote was scheduled.

However, the process was disrupted when Likud lawmakers photographed their ballots, violating the secrecy of the vote. The vote was halted, and following consultations, another round was held. In this round, Ravilo was elected with 61 votes to Elron's 57. This outcome led to petitions to the Supreme Court, alleging a violation of the principle of secret ballots.

On July 2, the Supreme Court invalidated the election due to a significant flaw and ordered a new vote. Two days later, on July 4, Engelman's term ended, leaving the position of State Comptroller vacant. Despite the court's directive, Ohana has not reconvened the Knesset for a repeat vote, prompting further petitions demanding the implementation of the ruling and the resumption of the selection process.