The Israeli government announced it will defy the Supreme Court order concerning the media regulatory authority, amid opposition voices condemning it as the most serious constitutional crisis in the nation's history.
On Sunday, 5 Jul 2026 GMT+7, the Israeli cabinet voted that the government will defy the Supreme Court ruling regarding the country's broadcasting and telecommunications regulatory body, raising concerns that this could spark a new constitutional crisis in Israel.
This marks the first time Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has ignored a Supreme Court ruling, despite previous clashes with the judiciary. Since the 2022 election, the government has sought to limit the court's power, drawing global criticism and large protests in Israel.
Although judicial reform efforts were shelved after the Hamas attack on 7 Oct 2023 GMT+7, some aspects were revived later on.
Israeli law requires the Second Authority for Television and Radio to have a minimum number of members to make decisions. The government claims the committee currently lacks sufficient members, and therefore has no authority to approve appointments or take actions.
However, on 17 Jun, Israel's Supreme Court ordered the committee to continue operating nonetheless.
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Justice Minister Yariv Levin stated the cabinet unanimously voted Sunday to reject the court ruling, arguing the court lacks authority to override legislation, and that the government will use all available legal channels to nullify the decision.
"An unlawful ruling will not be accepted, and any decisions made under it are void," the cabinet declared.
Karhi criticized the court, saying judges are not the Knesset and adding that any future decisions by the media regulatory body will "be worthless." Levin added that once the legislature passes a law, the court must follow it.
The move was quickly condemned by opposition leaders competing to replace Netanyahu's coalition government in the upcoming election.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said, "The government has become a criminal... This is the gravest constitutional crisis in Israel's history. It is the destruction of the foundations of our democracy."
Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog said statements expressing disobedience to the Supreme Court harm the core of national unity. "I have spoken clearly and will repeat again and again that disobedience to court rulings is a red line that must never be crossed under any circumstances."
However, Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs sought to downplay ministers' rhetoric, stating there was no call to disobey the court but rather "strong criticism" of a ruling that conflicts with government law.
"The government has declared it will use all legal tools available to overturn future rulings. How can legal tools be considered disobedience to court rulings?" Fuchs wrote on platform X.
Follow international news:https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign
Source:reuters