FLASH
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The Israeli executive openly challenges the authority of the Supreme Court, refusing to implement a ruling on the media regulator. The opposition warns that the country is entering a constitutional crisis.
The Israeli government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has officially announced that it will not implement a decision of the Supreme Court of Justice, marking the first time in the country's history that it has openly rejected a decision by the highest judicial institution.
According to Israeli media, the decision is related to the composition of the Second Authority Council for Television and Radio, the institution that oversees private broadcasters in the country. The Haaretz newspaper describes this step as an action that could lead Israel into a constitutional crisis.
Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the Council could continue its work even after the resignations of six of its members. According to the court, the resignations came as a result of pressure exerted by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and his associates.
The court also ruled that these resignations should not count towards the minimum quorum required for decision-making, arguing that they were organized with the aim of blocking the functioning of the institution.
However, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Justice Minister Yariv Levin signed a statement in which the government rejects the court's decision.
"We will not recognize any decision, appointment or action of the Second Authority Council until it meets the minimum requirements clearly set out by law," the government document states.
The two ministers argue that the Supreme Court "has no authority to violate the law" and that any decision that conflicts with the legislation will not be recognized.
According to the executive, the Court's decision conflicts with the 1990 law, which regulates the functioning of the Second Authority for Television and Radio.
The decision has caused strong reactions from the opposition.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett stated that challenging a Supreme Court decision "leads to anarchy and the dissolution of the state."
Even the leader of the Democrats party, Yair Golan, accused the government of preparing the ground to not accept the results of the upcoming elections.
"Today they are trying to normalize the challenge to the Court. Tomorrow they may refuse to accept the election results if they lose," he declared.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said a government that does not implement the Supreme Court's rulings "immediately loses legitimacy," while former Prime Minister Ehud Barak called the development a "declaration of war on the democratic state of Israel," calling for civil disobedience.
The clash also has concrete consequences for the media sector. The Second Authority must make decisions on the status of the conservative Channel 14, as well as on the purchase of Channel 13 by a group of investors led by entrepreneur Assaf Rappaport.
According to the Times of Israel, the organizations that went to court accuse Minister Karhi and the government of trying to exert political control over the institution to prevent this transaction.
The clash between Netanyahu's government and the judicial system has been going on for years, but this is the first time that the executive branch has openly declared that it will not respect a Supreme Court ruling, a development that is increasing fears of a deep institutional crisis in Israel.
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