High Court Orders Minister Karhi to Approve Broadcasting Council Appointments
The High Court of Justice ordered Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi to sign council appointments for the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, ending a two-year administrative paralysis.
The High Court of Justice has unanimously ruled in favor of the "Hatzlacha" movement, ordering Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi to sign appointment letters for four members of the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation's council within seven days.
High Court Ruling and Council Appointments
The ruling mandates the appointment of Aliza Dayan Hamama and the extension of terms for three incumbent members: Prof. Menachem Ben-Sasson, Michal Rafali Caduri, and Amir Sabhat. The court stipulated that should the minister fail to sign the appointments on time, they will automatically take effect by virtue of the judgment.
Written by Justice Ofer Grosskopf, the ruling rejected the minister's justifications for withholding the appointments. The judges underscored that a minister's discretion regarding council appointments is exceptionally narrow, designed specifically to safeguard the independence of public broadcasting and prevent political affiliations. Furthermore, the court dismissed personal objections raised by the minister against candidates, characterizing them as ungrounded.
Addressing Administrative Paralysis
A central focus of the decision was the ongoing paralysis of the broadcasting council, which has operated for two years below the legal quorum of seven members. This situation has prevented statutory decision-making, notably the appointment of a new CEO ahead of the conclusion of Golan Yochpiz's tenure in November. To address this, the court extended Yochpiz's term until a fully functional council can properly convene and select a successor.
"The principle established in this ruling transcends the four appointments in question, making it clear that intentional delays cannot become a legitimate administrative tool," stated Adv. Elad Man, legal counsel for the Hatzlacha movement.
Additionally, the Ministry of Communications was ordered to pay a total of 150,000 shekels in legal costs and previous penalties resulting from the protracted litigation. Neither the Ministry of Communications nor Minister Shlomo Karhi issued an immediate response.
