The Netanyahu government announced it would not recognize the Supreme Court's ruling regarding the broadcasting board. At its Sunday meeting, the government unanimously rejected the court decision that allowed the current board, whose term has expired, to continue overseeing commercial broadcasting.
Government spokespersons stated that the board in question was operating under a temporary court order, and announced that they would not recognize any decisions made by this board, and that such decisions would be considered invalid.
This rejection came after a Supreme Court ruling on June 17. The court had frozen the government's decisions to appoint a new broadcasting board and ruled that the current board would remain in office until appeals against the appointments were resolved.
According to Israel's Channel 12 television, a government's rejection of a Supreme Court ruling was recorded as a first in the country's history. Opposition leaders argued that this decision was a serious blow to the rule of law and could lead to an unprecedented constitutional crisis.
President Isaac Herzog said in a statement on X, "Statements aimed at not complying with Supreme Court rulings harm the essence of national unity. Defying a court ruling is a red line that must not be crossed under any circumstances."
Opposition leader Yair Lapid said, "A government that does not accept Supreme Court rulings immediately becomes an illegal government." Lapid stressed that they too would not recognize this government decision, and that the current broadcasting board members' term continues and their decisions are binding.
Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned, "Defying Supreme Court rulings leads to chaos in the streets and the dissolution of the state."
Lawmaker and former Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot said, "The Israeli government is raising its hand against democracy. Netanyahu is dividing Israel, while citizens deserve a government that unites the people."
Observers note that this development will further escalate tensions between the Netanyahu government and the Supreme Court. Government members had previously accused the court of trying to weaken the right-wing government by interfering with laws passed by the Knesset or government decisions.
In February, the Supreme Court instructed Netanyahu to provide a detailed justification for why he had not dismissed National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which heightened tensions between the sides. Justice Minister Yariv Levin had warned at the time that the dispute could lead to an unprecedented constitutional crisis.
