President Herzog warns government: defying court rulings is a red line

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog has issued a stark warning to the government over its decision to defy a Supreme Court ruling, declaring that non-compliance with judicial orders strikes at the heart of national unity. “We must not cross this line under any circumstances,” Herzog stated in response to the government’s announcement that it would not comply with the court’s decision regarding the second chamber of the Knesset (parliament).The presidential intervention reflects deepening tensions between Israel’s executive and judiciary, with Herzog using unusually strong language to defend the independence of the courts. His warning comes as the government has signalled its intention to challenge judicial authority in what critics view as an unprecedented assault on democratic institutions.Opposition leader Yair Lapid joined Herzog in condemning the move, declaring: “We will not surrender to attempts to erase democracy.” The criticism underscores broad concern among Israel’s political establishment about the government’s judicial overreach, with warnings that such defiance could fundamentally undermine the rule of law.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has previously spoken about the importance of complying with court rulings, has not yet commented on the government’s latest decision. His silence on the matter has drawn attention, given his historical emphasis on respecting judicial verdicts despite his well-documented conflicts with the Supreme Court.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.