The Israeli government has declared it will refuse to comply with a ruling by the country’s Supreme Court, marking an unprecedented constitutional confrontation that has raised concerns over the rule of law and deepened political divisions. The dispute centers on the High Court’s decision regarding the Second Authority for Television and Radio, the body that regulates commercial broadcasters in Israel.
The conflict arose after a series of resignations left the authority’s council without the legally required quorum. Last month, the Supreme Court ruled that the regulator should continue to operate temporarily to approve licenses, ownership changes, and other decisions despite the vacancies. This ruling was critical to facilitating a proposed acquisition of Channel 13, a major television network, by a consortium of high-tech entrepreneurs led by a well-known government critic.
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi accused the Supreme Court of being “drunk with power” and defended the cabinet’s decision to reject the court’s order. The government, supported by Justice Minister Yariv Levin, stated that it would not recognize any decisions made by the regulator while the council fails to meet the minimum legal requirements. They argued that the court had overstepped its bounds by effectively altering legislation governing the authority.
The controversy escalated after the Union of Journalists in Israel and the Movement for Quality Government petitioned the Supreme Court, claiming that the government was attempting to exert political control over the regulator to block the Channel 13 sale. An interim court ruling had suggested that Karhi interfered improperly in the regulator’s work in an effort to paralyze its operation and halt the transaction.
Political leaders have expressed alarm at the government’s stance. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett described the refusal to follow the court ruling as a “severe and dangerous breach of trust,” warning it could lead to “anarchy” and undermine the integrity of the state. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called a government that ignores the Supreme Court “immediately… an illegal government.”
The dispute takes on added significance ahead of national elections expected later this year. Control over the media regulator is seen as strategically important given the authority’s role in approving media ownership changes, potentially influencing the country’s broadcasting landscape.
The current government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has faced widespread criticism for moves perceived as attempts to weaken judicial independence. These tensions previously sparked months of nationwide protests prior to the Hamas attacks on October 7. The latest confrontation signals continuing friction over the balance of powers between Israel’s executive and judiciary branches.