Signs of ‘Jungle Raj’ in Israel, Netanyahu rejected Supreme Court order, opposition said ‘threat to democracy’

New Delhi. In Israel, the conflict between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and the country’s Supreme Court now seems to be taking the form of a serious constitutional crisis. In a unanimous decision on Sunday, the Israeli Cabinet refused to accept a Supreme Court order allowing commercial media regulator Second Authority for Television and Radio (SATR) to continue its work. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has described this development as ‘the sound of Jungle Raj’.

For the first time the government rejected the court order

This is the first time in Israeli history that a government has formally rejected a Supreme Court order. The controversy started when last month the Supreme Court had stayed the government’s decisions under which the process of forming a new council of media regulator was started.

The court had directed that the existing council should continue its work, as there was a fear of political pressure on the resignation of some members.

Government’s tough stance

Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government rejected the court’s decision, saying it did not have the right to change or repeal the law. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Justice Minister Yariv Levin said in a joint statement that the government will not accept orders that they believe are against the law, and decisions taken based on such orders will be considered invalid.

The government also clarified that it will not recognize any future decisions of the Media Regulatory Council, as according to it the council does not have the required legal membership.

Opposition and experts warn

This move of the government has been strongly criticized by the opposition and legal experts. Deputy Attorney General Gil Limon warned that if the government selectively followed court orders it would be a serious step towards undermining the rule of law.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that disobeying court orders could lead to chaos in the country and weaken the democratic system.

Democrats Party leader Yair Golan alleged that the government was trying to weaken the power of the judiciary ahead of the elections, so that it could influence future political decisions.

Debate intensifies on media and democracy

Journalist organizations and pro-democracy groups have also expressed concern over the government’s decision. He says that this issue is not just a matter of a media regulator, but has become an issue that has a direct impact on press freedom, democracy and rule of law in Israel.