Israeli Government Refuses to Recognize Communications Authority Decisions Following Supreme Court Ruling

The Israeli government unanimously approved a proposal by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin to reject any decisions, approvals, appointments, or actions made by the Second Authority Council unless they meet the legal threshold requirements. This decision follows the Supreme Court ruling on June 17, 2026, which ordered the reinstatement of the Second Authority Council appointed during the previous government, despite the government’s claim that the council currently has fewer members than the minimum required by law.

The government emphasized that the rule of law binds all branches of government, including the judiciary, and that any court ruling contradicting explicit legal provisions cannot grant powers not established by law. Consequently, the government declared it will not recognize the validity of any actions or decisions made by the council in its current composition. It also stated that stakeholders in the communications market cannot rely on decisions made by the council, nor on actions taken under its authority.

Minister Karhi sharply criticized the Supreme Court ruling, stating, "The Supreme Court judges are not the Knesset, and a power trip does not grant authority to erase explicit legal conditions, even if inconvenient. The rule of law is not the rule of judges. Today, the government made it clear: when the Supreme Court tramples the law, the state will not cooperate." Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Levin added, "The rule of law means the law binds everyone, including the judiciary. When a ruling directly contradicts the law’s wording, it is not judicial review but a violation of the separation of powers. The government must ensure that the law, and only the law, is the source of governmental authority."