From the Liveblog of
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Newly elected comptroller meets with outgoing ombudsman, amid bid to block contentious pick
Jeremy Sharon is The Times of Israel’s legal affairs and settlements reporter
Michael Rabello, who was elected as the next state comptroller in highly controversial circumstances on Wednesday, meets with outgoing comptroller Matanyahu Englman for a transition briefing in the State Comptroller’s Office in Jerusalem.
Rabello, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s longtime personal lawyer, is scheduled to be sworn in on July 1.
At least one petition to the High Court has been filed against his appointment; however, after coalition MKs recorded themselves voting for Rabello, reportedly at the request of Likud party officials and in apparent violation of the law requiring a secret ballot for the state comptroller election.
That petition has requested the court issue an order to block Rabello from taking up the post until the High Court can issue a final ruling.
The Times of Israel Community.