Knesset Speaker Ohana Blocks Special Session on High Court Authority
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana rejected a request by 25 lawmakers for a special session to challenge the High Court's authority over laws, citing procedural violations.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana has refused to schedule a special parliamentary recess session, despite a formal demand signed by 25 lawmakers and submitted through Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi.
The proposed session aims to pass a declarative Knesset resolution establishing that the High Court of Justice lacks the authority to cancel, freeze, or delay the implementation of laws enacted by the parliament. The measure is designed to apply broadly to any instance where the court intervenes in legislation.
The issue gained renewed urgency after the Attorney General asked the High Court to freeze the entire Broadcasting Law pending a ruling on petitions against it, citing severe procedural flaws and a high likelihood of the petitions being accepted.
In response to the controversy, Speaker Ohana's office stated that the original request violated Knesset regulations because it was submitted by a minister and included signatures from several other ministers and deputy ministers, who are barred from such submissions under parliamentary rules.
