Netanyahu Government Rejects Supreme Court TV Ruling, Risking 1st Open Constitutional Clash
Updated
Updated · Financial Times · Jul 5
Netanyahu Government Rejects Supreme Court TV Ruling, Risking 1st Open Constitutional Clash
3 articles · Updated · Financial Times · Jul 5
Summary
Sunday’s cabinet decision made Israel’s first formal declaration that a government will not recognize a Supreme Court ruling, in a dispute over the board of the Second Authority for Television and Radio.
The clash stems from the government’s attempt to install an alternative regulator board that the court ruled illegal last month; ministers then said any moves by the existing board were null and void.
Isaac Herzog called non-compliance with a court ruling a red line, while opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett warned the move could delegitimize the government and set a precedent before October’s election.
Critics say the board fight is tied to efforts to block the sale of Channel 13 — a broadcaster critical of Netanyahu — to a tech-led consortium, widening concerns over judicial independence and media freedom.