Israel spirals into unprecendented constitutional crisis as government votes to defy High Court

[Nanjeanne]

7. More from Haaretz

Israel's president, opposition lawmakers and senior cabinet officials responded Sunday to the government's decision to defy a High Court of Justice ruling in a move that, if carried through, could trigger a constitutional crisis.

President Isaac Herzog said the government's decision was a "red line that must not be crossed under any circumstances." According to Herzog, such statements "harm the very core of national unity."
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara said in a written statement to the court that the decision has no legal basis and "undermines the fundamental principles of the rule of law in a democratic state."

Opposition lawmaker Naama Lazimi called for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's arrest for sedition and state security offenses.

"The prime minister has declared war on democratic Israel and on the systems of government and law," the Democrats party lawmaker said. "Netanyahu is the head of a criminal organization and a criminal defendant who has taken over a state."

Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs said the government's decision did not stipulate defiance of a High Court ruling. Rather, he said, "it is sharp criticism of a decision that contradicts the explicit wording of the law."

Read gift link https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-politics/2026-07-05/ty-article/.premium/israeli-president-officials-push-back-against-govt-decision-to-defy-high-court/0000019f-3369-d10e-a7df-fffdb0ae0000?gift=316d88159df642e1851d12d0e17d3505]