In message to Netanyahu, Herzog warns against disobeying High Court rulings

President Isaac Herzog on Sunday warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the government not to even consider defying High Court rulings, in an implicit reference to the recent ruling that Netanyahu had a conflict of interest in firing Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and the attorney general’s specific instruction that he not move to appoint the next Shin Bet chief.

“I warn and caution that no one should think of disobeying either the rulings of the courts, nor the instructions of the law,” said Herzog during a Bible study class at the President’s Residence in the capital, ahead of Monday’s Jerusalem Day.

“In the Jewish and democratic State of Israel, the rule of law is not a recommendation, but an existential principle. Anyone who even discusses the possibility of violating the law and the rulings of the court harms not only the cohesion of our people and Israeli democracy, but also Israeli statehood and sovereignty.”

The High Court of Justice ruled on Wednesday that Netanyahu had a conflict of interest in firing Bar, and the attorney general told the prime minister immediately afterward that the ruling meant he could not appoint a new Shin Bet head until she could draw up legal instructions.

Netanyahu nevertheless announced on Thursday that he had chosen IDF Maj. Gen. David Zini to take up the position, which Bar is set to vacate on June 15.

Several cabinet ministers, including Justice Minister Yariv Levin, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, either encouraged Netanyahu to ignore the High Court ruling or praised him for selecting Zini in defiance of the attorney general.

Levin, reacting to Herzog’s comment on Sunday, said: “Mr. President, I assume that your warning was directed at [Supreme Court President Isaac] Amit and [Justice Daphne] Barak-Erez, who, time after time, rule against the explicit instructions of the law. If so, I join your warning.”

Amit on Wednesday lambasted the government’s failure to give proper cause for firing Bar, writing that the decision was based on “a thin and shaky factual foundation, at best,” and was therefore “arbitrary.”

Barak Erez joined Amit’s decision. Deputy President Noam Sohlberg dissented, taking issue with the theoretical nature of the case — though he, too, acknowledged “significant difficulties” with Bar’s dismissal.

Amit was sworn into office in February, despite intense opposition from Levin, who fought the appointment at every turn for over a year.

After being repeatedly ordered by the Supreme Court, sitting in its capacity as the High Court of Justice, to finally appoint a new president, Levin boycotted the vote itself and has vowed to boycott Amit as head of the court as well.

Karhi: The court is the one trampling democracy!

Communications Minister Karhi also lashed out at Herzog for his remarks, writing on X: “In the presidential election, I voted publicly for Miriam Peretz,” referring to Herzog’s opponent in the race.

“A few days after that, the president-elect called me, we met — and it seemed like there was hope,” Karhi wrote.

“But this hope faded very quickly. Isaac Herzog has proven time and time again that he is not the president of the people — rather, he is a tool in the hands of only one camp,” the communications minister charged.

“Mr. President, the one who is violating the law, trampling on democracy, and acting as sole ruler is none other than the court!” he said.