Middle East — 2026-07-06

Netanyahu Government Votes to Defy Supreme Court Ruling on Media Regulator in Unprecedented Constitutional Crisis

BLUFNetanyahu's unanimous cabinet vote to defy the High Court converts a broadcast-regulator dispute into a constitutional precedent, and whether the government reverses course within 30 days remains genuinely uncertain.

The Israeli cabinet voted unanimously on Sunday to defy a High Court of Justice interim order requiring the Second Authority for Television and Radio council to keep functioning at its current composition, with Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Justice Minister Yariv Levin declaring the government will not recognize any council decisions, appointments, or actions 12. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the vote, the first instance of his government declining to comply with a Supreme Court ruling 2. The government stated it would pursue "all legal means" to nullify the ruling, which stemmed from a June 17 court decision restoring the prior council after several members resigned 12. President Isaac Herzog said disobedience to a court ruling "is a red line that must not be crossed," while opposition leader Yair Lapid called it "the most serious constitutional crisis in Israel's history" 2. Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs disputed that framing, saying the decision reflected "sharp criticism" rather than a refusal to comply 2.

Analysis
Netanyahu's cabinet has moved from rhetorical clashes with the judiciary into open non-compliance, converting a narrow broadcast-regulator dispute into a direct test of executive deference to court orders. Whether the government reverses course and complies with the High Court's interim order within 30 days is genuinely uncertain, since Levin and Karhi have staked political capital on defiance while Herzog and opposition leaders frame any retreat as validating judicial supremacy. This assessment reflects high confidence, based on the coalition's unanimous cabinet vote and the absence of any conciliatory signal from Netanyahu himself. A prolonged standoff would delay the Reshet 13 sale and harden precedent for ignoring inconvenient rulings on other fronts, including future election disputes.

2 sources