[REVISION HISTORY]
Israel judicial and media reforms face court challenges
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2026-07-25 19:29 UTC → 2026-08-04 16:26 UTC ·
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Israel judicial and media reforms face court halt challenges
In early June, dozens of Haredi demonstrators attacked the home of Supreme Court Deputy President Noam Sohlberg in Alon Shvut, smashing windows and leaving a swastika‑style flag; police detained around 50 participants and government officials condemned the violence. Minister of Religious Services Dudi Amoslam then accused Supreme Court judges and legal advisers of anti‑Semitism, while a break‑in at Justice Naom Solberg’s residence led to four arrests and charges of trespass. The dispute over Israel’s judicial overhaul has continued Knesset and High Court turned to broaden. After the July 5, March 2025 amendment to the Basic Law: the Judiciary. On 21 June the High Court heard petitions challenging the removal of Israel Bar Association members from the Judicial Selection Committee; justices questioned the rationale and the hearing was briefly disrupted by MK Tali Gotliv. Supreme Court Judge Yitzhak Amit warned the amendment could embed political bias in future appointments. On 5 July the Netanyahu cabinet defied voted to ignore a Supreme Court order, former Shabak chief Micha Kobi called order that the Second Authority for Television and Radio retain quorum, marking the first open defiance of a probe into binding court ruling. Two days later the Knesset passed a leak of Iranian‑strike plans, and bill allowing the government to sideline the attorney‑general in certain cases, while the High Court annulled a state‑comptroller vote over ballot‑secrecy concerns. Shabak head chief David Zini faced a leak probe and, in leaked remarks, pledged to follow Prime Minister Netanyahu in any the prime minister if a clash with the court clash, arose, drawing criticism condemnation from President Herzog and former Shabak director head Yoav Cohen. The Knesset then approved reforms affecting local councils, military service length and split the attorney‑general’s office into a civil‑law adviser and a prosecutor‑general, allowing ministers to reject AG opinions. Opposition parties filed High Court petitions alleging executive overreach. The split was reaffirmed in July 2026, again without Netanyahu’s presence, and sparked a coalition crisis over Haredi preschool funding. On 14 July 16, 2026 the legislature moved further, passing a media‑reform bill that creates a Broadcast Media Authority and a nine‑member council appointed mainly by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi. Critics say Knesset approved the media‑reform law gives the government extensive control over licensing (53‑48) and threatens press freedom, while supporters argue it liberalises a monopolised market. Netanyahu attended the media vote but missed the attorney‑general vote. split (65‑51). Civil‑rights groups have filed additional High Court petitions, warning that the combined judicial and media reforms could erode petitions; the rule of law. On July 19, 2026 Israel’s Supreme Court court issued a temporary injunction halting the immediate implementation of on 19 July suspending the new telecommunications law pending review of eight petitions. The law, passed 53‑48 before the Knesset’s dissolution, would overhaul licensing, permit new news channels with minimal regulation, cut the public broadcaster’s budget and increase government control over audience‑measurement data and state advertising. The court’s order will also prevent French‑language channel i24 and other providers from operating under the new rules until again on 25 July froze parts of the media reform pending review is concluded. review.
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- 2026-08-04 16:26 UTC Israel judicial and media reforms face court challenges
- 2026-07-25 19:29 UTC Israel judicial and media reforms face court halt
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