Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi responded Sunday evening to President Isaac Herzog's warning against defying the High Court, reiterating that the government obeys the law, not what he called illegal High Court decisions, according to N12.
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi escalated the public clash with the presidency Sunday evening, explicitly stating that the government 'obeys the law, not illegal High Court decisions.' Speaking to N12 moments before Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs issued a clarifying statement, Karhi's remarks came as the culmination of a rapid-fire sequence of statements on the same issue.
At 19:32 Jerusalem, President Isaac Herzog warned against defying a High Court ruling, labeling it a 'red line that must not be crossed.' Simultaneously, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid also criticized the government's decision. Minutes later, Karhi responded directly, questioning why the president had not spoken out against a previous court ruling that contradicted an explicit law clause. The thread unfolded within minutes: Herzog's warning, Lapid's criticism, and Karhi's rebuke. At 20:24 Jerusalem, Government Secretary Fuchs clarified that the minister's statement did not call for disobeying the court but expressed sharp criticism of a ruling he said contradicted the plain language of the law, adding that the government would use all legal tools to cancel the decision.
As The Zioneer reported earlier this week, Karhi has previously called for abolishing the High Court and establishing a justice system 'based on the will of the people.' He has also advanced broadcast reform and accused opponents of trying to thwart it through law enforcement pressure. The government's formal notification to the High Court that it would not abide by the ruling on the Second Authority for Television and Radio was described by Karhi as 'historic and unprecedented,' as The Zioneer reported at 18:36 Jerusalem.
The legal status of the government's notification remains open. The High Court has not yet responded to the government's position, and it is unclear whether the government will actually defy a future court order or seek a legislative override. The president's warning and the minister's explicit statement have deepened the institutional standoff, but no concrete steps have been taken beyond the rhetorical exchange.
4 developments
- StrongMinister Shlomo Karhi: Government's defiance of High Court on Second Authority is 'historic and unprecedented'
- DevelopingMinister Karai warns 'red light' on Supreme Court justices ignoring law, in Ynet interview
- StrongGovernment Secretary Fuchs: I did not call to defy High Court ruling
- DevelopingMinister Karhi says High Court may nullify general election results if it disapproves
Source and signal
- Internal intake