From the Liveblog of
Sunday, April 25, 2021
High Court to government: Appoint justice minister within 48 hours
The High Court of Justice urges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz to appoint a permanent justice minister within 48 hours.
There has been no justice minister since early this month after Gantz’s maximal 3-month term as acting justice minister expired. Under the power-sharing agreement between Gantz and Netanyahu, the former is the only one who can select a minister. But Netanyahu has blocked a required cabinet vote to approve such a candidate.
The High Court also says the remaining offices that remain without ministers should be filled by next week. This includes the Science and Technology Ministry, the Social Equality Ministry and the Higher Education Ministry — all vacated by resigning ministers in recent months as the government collapsed.
Critics have accused Netanyahu of intentionally seeking to weaken the justice system due to his ongoing corruption trial, as he hopes to appoint a minister who will be friendlier to his cause.
The Times of Israel Community.