From the Liveblog of
Sunday, July 6, 2025
High Court orders Karhi to extend tenure of Kan public broadcaster council member; Karhi says he won’t abide by ruling
Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
The High Court of Justice issues an interim order against Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, ordering him to extend the tenure of a council member of the Kan Public Broadcast Corporation until the court issues a final decision on his refusal to appoint new members to the council.
Council member Amir Sabhat’s tenure is due to end on July 13, and would leave just five spaces filled on the 12-member panel.
Since the quorum for decision-making on the council is seven, it has practically ceased to function after five members retired in November last year and another retired in February this year.
It is therefore unable to approve budgets, set broadcast policy, or wield its authority on any other matter for the public broadcaster.
Karhi insists that new council members will be appointed by selection committee, but that has yet to transpire.
Karhi, in response to the decision, vows not to abide by it, calling it “unlawful” and claiming that only the communications minister can extend a council member’s tenure.
“In the State of Israel, everyone is subject to the law, including their highnesses,” Karhi says acerbically about the High Court judges.
“And as with the previous illegal order, this order will not be honored here either. The corporation council will soon be formed through the legal search committee that I appointed as its chair, and not according to arbitrary orders,” he adds.
The Times of Israel Community.