High Court Warns Defying Orders May Cost Officials Immunity

Israel's High Court panel in the Second Authority case accepted the government's update but warned that elected officials and public servants must act according to law. The decision by President Isaac Amit and Justices Alex Stein and Ruth Ronnen said public servants who act contrary to judicial decisions may, in appropriate cases, lose personal immunity from tort claims under Section 7A of the Torts Ordinance. The warning followed the cabinet's unanimous declaration that it would not recognize the court-backed authority of the outgoing Second Authority council, including decisions tied to the possible Reshet 13 sale. Reports say the government position was initiated by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, keeping the media-regulator fight inside Israel's broader constitutional dispute.