Israeli cabinet members have voted to defy a Supreme Court decision regarding the country’s broadcast regulator, raising concerns of a constitutional crisis. This move is the first time Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has flouted a Supreme Court ruling.

Background

In 2022, the government sought to limit the court’s powers, drawing global criticism and mass protests in Israel, but ultimately dropped the plan after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. The current issue revolves around the Second Authority for Television and Radio, which Israeli law requires to have a minimum number of members to make decisions.

The government argues that because the council no longer meets that requirement, it has no authority to approve appointments or take other actions. However, on June 17, the court ordered the council to continue anyway. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Justice Minister Yariv Levin proposed that the government not recognize any council decisions or actions until the legal threshold for membership was met.

Reaction

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the government’s decision, stating it was the most serious constitutional crisis in Israel’s history and the destruction of the foundations of democracy. Karhi criticized the court, saying judges are not parliament, and any decisions the media regulator makes in the future would be “worthless”.

Legal experts expressed worries of a constitutional crisis, with Naftali Bennett, who was prime minister from 2021 to 2022, saying not adhering to court rulings brings anarchy in the streets and the disintegration of the country. Gadi Eisenkot, who is leading in polls to replace Netanyahu, said Israel’s government was raising a hand against Israeli democracy and that Netanyahu was dividing Israel.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.