Parents of Nova victims are still waiting for the appointment of a State Comptroller
The absence of a State Comptroller since July 2026 is blocking the publication of audit reports, including those regarding the Nova festival security. The appointment is currently stalled due to political tensions and the upcoming election cycle.
The absence of a State Comptroller since the beginning of July 2026 prevents the publication of an audit report on the approval procedures and preparations for securing the Nova party at the Re'im parking lot on the evening of October 7, 2023. The Supreme Court sent the Comptroller's office for improvements, but currently, there is no official capable of publishing the report, even as the three-year anniversary of the massacre approaches in two months.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court ordered the Comptroller to make improvements to three other reports, the publication dates of which remain unclear: government public diplomacy in the campaign for international public opinion, the handling of civilian casualties of October 7, and the defensive preparation of southern cities in connection with the events of October 7.
Failure to appoint a Comptroller also severely harms whistleblowers: ten appeals to the Ombudsman in the last month were rejected outright. The commission continues to investigate complaints, but without a Comptroller, it is impossible to grant them protection orders. In addition, there is no one to head the "Permits Committee" for ministers and deputy ministers, or to require them to submit capital declarations.
The State Comptroller's Office has been operating for a month without a leader. The audit division continues to operate according to the work plan set by the previous Comptroller, Matanyahu Englman. Dozens of audit reports are in progress, but their publication will be delayed by at least 3–6 months.
On July 2, the Supreme Court ruled that Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana (Likud) must convene the plenum to re-elect a State Comptroller. The Knesset Legal Advisor, Sagit Afik, determined that the Knesset must choose a Comptroller within a "reasonable time," even though the Knesset has been dissolved. From her perspective, one month from the ruling constitutes a "reasonable time." However, even though more than a month has passed, the appointment does not appear to be a priority.
The coalition is in no hurry to choose a Comptroller in order to oppose the Supreme Court, which they claim "dared" to invade the domain of the legislative branch; this move is expected to be part of the parties' election campaign. In addition, there is a fear that coalition MKs who will be ousted from the Knesset will not support Adv. Michael Ravilo, the candidate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but rather retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron.
The opposition is also in no hurry to petition the Supreme Court, claiming contempt of court due to the failure to convene the plenum, for fear that Ravilo will be elected. Moreover, a petition might actually strengthen Ohana in the Likud primaries to be held on August 17. The opposition prefers at this stage to wait for the election results to reopen the entire process.
At the same time, the chances of another vote in the plenum are decreasing. The Likud party court ruled that all incumbent MKs and ministers in the party will run on the national list and not in the districts. This means that more than half of the Likud MKs will be ousted from the Knesset, because 36 MKs will compete for 16 realistic spots, while polls predict about 23 mandates for Likud. Those being ousted have no motivation to support Ravilo, and in such a situation, the election of the Comptroller will likely be postponed to the next term.
