Karhi says he will not follow High Court orders, after court blocks dismantling of KAN

The High Court of Justice issued an interim order extending the office terms of two members of the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation’s (KAN) board.

The order, issued as part of a petition by the Success Association, will remain in effect until the petition is decided or new council members are elected.

The petition is intended to prevent the two council members from ending their duties, thereby paralyzing the council.Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi (Likud) made it clear that he would not comply with the court order, saying, “This interim order was issued without authority and [is] contrary to the law.”

He also claimed the order was unconstitutional based on his own assessment. He does not hold a law degree.

Dismantling KAN

Karhi was attempting to prevent the appointment of new KAN board members, which would leave the board incapable of functioning and, thus, legally non-existent in his own legal opinion.

“The corporation’s council is left with only five members and, therefore, does not exist according to the law, and, therefore, I do not have the authority to appoint a deputy chairman of the council, and I will not appoint one,” Karhi said recently.

The High Court’s extension allowed KAN’s board to meet for the first time in months.

Karhi has repeatedly stated his wish to dismantle KAN and either shift funding to Channel 14 or block the creation of another public broadcaster.

MK Benny Gantz, head of National Unity, said law enforcement agencies “must bring [Karhi] to justice with the utmost severity and speed. Otherwise, we will descend into anarchy.”

“Rebellion against court rulings is the dismantling of Israeli democracy, and this is a line that must not be crossed in any way and at any cost.”