Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is committed to abiding by any ruling from the High Court of Justice, according to Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar. This statement comes amidst allegations that the government is aiming to provoke a constitutional crisis. Zohar made these remarks following the cabinet’s recent approval of a resolution not to recognize decisions made by the Council of the Second Authority, despite a High Court ruling that allowed the broadcasting regulator to continue functioning without the necessary quorum.
The government contends that the High Court’s decision contradicts existing legislation and insists that all state bodies, including the judiciary, must operate within the confines of the law. Zohar emphasized that the cabinet’s resolution seeks to avert a constitutional crisis rather than instigate one. This development has sparked significant backlash from opposition figures and legal authorities.
President Isaac Herzog issued a stark warning that defying High Court rulings would breach a significant “red line,” signaling serious implications for the country’s rule of law. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also weighed in, cautioning that disregarding judicial decisions could precipitate constitutional disorder and threaten the principles of democratic governance.
The controversy revolves around the broadcasting council’s authority to approve the proposed acquisition of Channel 13. Critics argue that the government’s actions represent an attempt to exert political control over media regulation by influencing the broadcasting council’s decisions.