The government informed the High Court of Justice on Sunday that it would not comply with the ruling concerning the composition of the Second Authority for Television and Radio.
In a statement issued by the government, it said, "The government unanimously approved the proposal by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, and declared that it would not recognize any decision, approval, appointment or action carried out by the Second Authority Council as long as it does not meet the explicit threshold conditions set by law.
"The decision was made following the Supreme Court ruling on June 17, which restored the Second Authority Council of the previous government to activity, even though the number of its serving members had fallen below the minimum threshold set by law.
"The government determined that the rule of law binds all branches of government, including the court. A ruling that directly contradicts the clear wording of the law cannot confer authority that does not exist under the law, and therefore the government will not recognize actions taken on its basis."
"The government further determined that no claim of reliance or 'fait accompli' will be heard from parties in the communications market regarding actions carried out as a result of decisions made by a council that does not meet the threshold conditions set by the legislature."
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi said, "High Court justices are not the Knesset, and a power trip does not give them authority to erase an explicit threshold condition from the law, even if it is inconvenient for them. The rule of law is not the rule of judges. Today the government made this clear: When the High Court tramples the law, the state will not be party to it. Two-thirds is a legal requirement, not a recommendation, and a council that does not meet the threshold condition set by the legislature does not exist, and its decisions are worth nothing. That is how it will be here in the future as well, in every attempt by the court to trample the laws of the Knesset."
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin said, "The rule of law means that the law binds everyone, including the court. In a democratic state, the Knesset legislates the law, and the court is obligated to apply it. When a ruling stands in direct contradiction to the wording of the law, this is not judicial review but a blow to the principle of separation of powers. The government has a duty to insist that the law, and only the law, be the source of governmental authority. We will continue to use all legal tools to restore the rule of law."
Yashar party Chairman Gadi Eisenkot wrote on X, "The Israeli government is raising a hand against Israeli democracy. Netanyahu is dividing Israel. The citizens of Israel deserve a government that unites the people, not a government that works to divide it."
