The High Court of Justice began hearings on petitions against the appointment of attorney Michael Ravilo as State Comptroller on Thursday. During the proceedings, MK Tali Gottlieb clashed with Justice Sohlberg after interrupting him, telling him he could have her removed despite her parliamentary immunity. The judge questioned whether MKs filming themselves only during the second vote indicated a secret directive; Gottlieb dismissed the claim.
The High Court of Justice hearing on petitions against the appointment of attorney Michael Ravilo as State Comptroller, which began Thursday morning at 08:05 Jerusalem, saw a sharp exchange during the afternoon session. MK Tali Gottlieb (Likud) clashed with Justice Sohlberg after interrupting him. When the justice questioned whether the fact that MKs filmed themselves only during the second Knesset vote, not the first, indicated a secret directive, Gottlieb dismissed the claim, arguing that self-filming is not evidence of any instruction. She told the court that Sohlberg could order her removed despite her parliamentary immunity.
Earlier Thursday, presiding Justice Knaf-Steinitz stated during the morning session that the secrecy principle was violated in the selection process, as The Zioneer reported at 08:05 Jerusalem. The court is now weighing multiple petitions; the state, the Knesset legal adviser, and Likud have all filed responses urging the court to uphold the Knesset's secret-ballot decision, while retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron formally asked to freeze the appointment, arguing the second vote was procedurally unlawful. The panel hearing the case, set last week, comprises Justices Sohlberg, Knaf-Steinitz, and Ruth Ronen.
As The Zioneer reported on Tuesday, State Comptroller-elect Ravilo has insisted to the court that his election was lawful, while the Knesset legal adviser and Likud have both filed separate responses defending the process. The case carries significant implications for the independence of Israel's state oversight institutions.
It remains unclear whether the court will issue a ruling on the petitions today or whether proceedings will continue.
4 developments
- DevelopingState Comptroller-elect Ravilo tells High Court his election was lawful
- DevelopingKnesset legal adviser urges High Court to dismiss petitions against Ravilo appointment
- DevelopingRetired Supreme Court Judge Elron Asks to Freeze Ravilo's Appointment as State Comptroller, Says Second Vote Unlawful
- DevelopingLikud submits legal defense of Ravilo appointment to High Court
Source and signal
- Internal intake