Four former chief justices of Israel’s Supreme Court, along with a former acting chief justice, issued a joint statement on Monday condemning the government’s refusal to recognize actions taken by the outgoing Second Authority Council. They described the move as an effective call to disregard court rulings and warned it threatened the foundations of Israeli democracy.

The statement, first reported by Channel 13, was signed by Aharon Barak, Dorit Beinisch, Asher Grunis, Esther Hayut, and Uzi Vogelman. They asserted that failing to comply with court orders represents the “final nail in democracy’s coffin.” The former justices cautioned that such defiance would severely disrupt Israel’s governmental and legal systems, potentially triggering anarchy and centralizing power within a single branch of government.

The group urged the government to affirm what they termed an “obvious” principle: that all court judgments and decisions must be respected and enforced.

In related remarks, Bank of Israel Governor Prof. Amir Yaron emphasized that High Court rulings are binding on all state institutions, and he expressed concern that the government’s stance undermined business certainty.

Despite the pushback from legal experts and economic leaders, Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar indicated confidence that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would ultimately adhere to the High Court of Justice’s decision in the dispute over the Second Authority for Television and Radio. Speaking to Kan Reshet Bet, Zohar dismissed fears of a constitutional crisis, stating, “As I know him, the prime minister will comply with the High Court decision. There will not be a constitutional crisis.”

The ongoing controversy centers on the government’s refusal to recognize the appointments and actions of the Second Authority Council following recent elections to the body responsible for overseeing public broadcasting. Critics argue that this refusal challenges judicial authority and poses a threat to democratic norms, while government officials suggest compliance with the court’s ruling will be maintained in order to prevent institutional conflict.