High Court ends hearing on Netanyahu recusal law; no date set for ruling

The High Court of Justice concludes a five-hour hearing for petitions against the law passed by the coalition in March blocking the court and the attorney general from ordering a prime minister to recuse themselves.

The petitioners argued earlier that the law, an amendment to Basic Law: the Government, should be struck down by the court on the basis of the doctrine of misuse of constituent power by the Knesset.

Attorney Michael Ravilo representing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists however that the purpose of the law is fitting, arguing that it should be unthinkable in a democracy for unelected officials to force a prime minister from office.

Ravilo rejects allegations that the law was designed personally for Netanyahu, telling the three presiding High Court justices that the legislation has broad application to any future prime minister, and clarifies the previously unclear legal situation regarding recusal.

He also points out that despite some coalition MKs stating during the legislative process that the law was designed for Netanyahu, other MKs such as Likud MK Ophir Katz said at the time the law was designed to clarify the legal status of the office of the prime minister as an institution, not of Netanyahu as an individual.

It is as yet unclear when a ruling will be handed down.