The High Court of Justice on Sunday froze the implementation of the law to weaken media regulation. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi responded, stating that the court order has no legal validity and that the government will not comply.
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi on Sunday evening rejected the High Court of Justice's freeze order on the communications law, claiming the order has no legal validity. The statement, reported by Channel 14, marks the latest escalation in a day-long confrontation between the executive and the judiciary over the legislation aimed at weakening media regulation.
The day's developments unfolded rapidly. At 09:29 Jerusalem, Karhi refused to participate in a High Court proceeding, describing the court as 'lawbreakers' according to Ynet. He then called on Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana to 'clarify' the court's authority via a special Knesset decision, as reported by N12. Shortly after, Karhi claimed the High Court's order was issued without authority and that the law remains in effect. The court responded by issuing a formal freeze order at 09:29 Jerusalem, blocking implementation pending further review. The government had earlier notified the court it would not abide by any decision on the matter.
As The Zioneer reported on Sunday evening, Karhi described the government's defiance of the High Court as 'historic and unprecedented' (July 5, 18:36 Jerusalem). He also rebuffed President Isaac Herzog's warning against defiance, stating the government obeys the law, not what he called illegal High Court decisions (July 5, 20:32 Jerusalem). The communications law has been a flashpoint for months, with the High Court reviewing petitions against it as early as June (reported July 13, 16:01 Jerusalem).
It remains unclear whether the government will formally defy the freeze order, and what the High Court's next steps will be. Knesset Speaker Ohana's response to Karhi's call for a special decision is also pending.
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