In message to PM, Herzog warns against disobeying High Court: ‘Rule of law isn’t a recommendation’

President Isaac Herzog warns Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the government not to even consider defying High Court rulings, in an implicit reference to the recent ruling finding that Netanyahu has a conflict of interest in firing Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.

“I warn and caution that no one should think of disobeying either the rulings of the courts, nor the instructions of the law,” says Herzog, during a Bible study class at the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, ahead of tomorrow’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 ruled on Wednesday that Netanyahu had a conflict of interest in firing Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, and the attorney general told the prime minister immediately afterwards that the ruling meant he could not appoint a new Shin Bet head until she had drawn up legal instructions.

Netanyahu nevertheless went ahead on Thursday and announced that he had chosen IDF Maj. Gen. David Zini to take up the position, which Bar will 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 his selection of Zini.