The High Court of Justice ordered a halt to the Communications Law on Sunday evening, according to Channel 14. Commentator Yinon Magal said 'a parliament elected by the people drafts laws for months, and in the end one judge decides,' while journalist Yotam Zomeri accused the court of 'stealing democracy.'
This evening, right-wing commentators Yinon Magal and Yotam Zomeri sharply criticized the High Court of Justice's decision to halt the Communications Law. Magal, speaking on Channel 14's 'Patriots' program, said 'a parliament elected by the people drafts laws for months, and in the end one judge decides,' while Zomeri accused the court of 'stealing democracy.' The reactions came hours after the court issued its freeze order earlier Sunday morning.
The High Court's freeze was reported at 09:29 Jerusalem on Sunday. Shortly after, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi rejected the order, calling it 'without legal validity' and vowing non-compliance. Earlier in the morning, Karhi had refused to participate in the court proceeding, describing the court as 'lawbreakers,' and called on Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana to clarify the court's authority. The court's ruling marks the latest in a series of escalations between the judiciary and the coalition over the media reform.
As The Zioneer has reported, the Communications Law has been a central flashpoint in the broader debate over the High Court's authority to review Basic Laws. In recent weeks, commentator Amit Segal (N12) argued that a justice who supports striking down Basic Laws cannot be considered conservative, and Minister Itamar Ben Gvir accused the court of 'trampling the Knesset' in 'anti-democratic conduct.' A poll aired on Channel 14's 'Patriots' showed 94% of viewers believed the court would strike down the judge selection law, reflecting the charged atmosphere.
It remains unclear how the government will respond to the court's order, and whether the Knesset will take steps to override or challenge the freeze. The full scope of the ruling and its implications for the legislation have not been detailed.
6 developments
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- DevelopingOpposition MKs submit full letter to Knesset legal advisor, demand halt to communications law
- DevelopingBen Gvir vows to 'clean out stables' in judiciary after High Court media law ruling
- DevelopingPatriots poll: 94% of viewers say High Court will strike down judge selection law
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