Minister Zeev Elkin said the High Court's ruling on the Second Authority for Television and Radio is 'scandalous and clearly contrary to the law,' joining the government's formal refusal to recognize the court's decision. Elkin accused the court of crossing a 'red line' by interfering and forcing a vote. The government's defiance has drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures and legal officials.
Minister Zeev Elkin on Friday added his voice to the government's open defiance of the High Court of Justice over the Second Authority for Television and Radio, calling the court's ruling 'scandalous' and accusing it of overstepping its authority.
The government's formal refusal to recognize the High Court's decision — first reported by The Zioneer on July 5 — has triggered a widening confrontation between the executive and judiciary. The cabinet, led by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, approved a motion stating it would not abide by any ruling that contradicts the law. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara warned the move undermines the rule of law, and President Isaac Herzog described it as a 'red line.'
Elkin's remarks, made in a statement circulated Friday afternoon, join a chorus of coalition ministers defending the government's stance. 'This is a scandalous ruling, clearly contrary to the law,' Elkin said. 'The court is intervening and forcing a vote — that is a red line.' Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, in contrast, condemned the defiance as a path to 'anarchy.'
The Second Authority board itself convened on July 7, defying the government's directive and complying with the High Court ruling. The next steps remain unclear: the government has not specified how it will enforce its refusal, and legal experts say further court petitions are likely.
- StrongMinister Shlomo Karhi: Government's defiance of High Court on Second Authority is 'historic and unprecedented'
- DevelopingSecond Authority board convenes despite government defiance, complies with High Court ruling
- DevelopingTimes of Israel analysis: Government's High Court defiance on media regulator 'crosses the Rubicon'
- StrongMinister Karhi hits back at Herzog: 'We obey the law, not illegal High Court decisions'
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