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Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Coalition nominates Netanyahu’s lawyer Michael Rabello as next state comptroller
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleAriela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.
The coalition announces that it has nominated lawyer Michael Rabello for the position of state comptroller, with 30 lawmakers, including all coalition faction leaders, signing the nomination.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reported to have personally pushed for Rabello’s nomination. Rabello has represented the premier before the High Court of Justice on multiple occasions, including regarding petitions demanding that a state commission of inquiry be established into the failures surrounding the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, invasion and atrocities.
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid party has meanwhile backed retired Supreme Court justice Yosef Elron for the role, with Benny Gantz’s Blue and White party also announcing its support for his candidacy.
Coalition lawmakers, including members of Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party, had sought to nominate Elron, who is seen as a staunch conservative jurist, but the prime minister pushed for Rabello’s candidacy instead, according to Channel 12.
The state comptroller, elected by secret ballot in the Knesset and who must secure a majority of votes, has the authority to audit and review the functioning of government ministries and agencies and examine whether they are acting legally, efficiently and properly.
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