Coalition Official Warns of Secret-Ballot Sabotage Over Comptroller Ruling

A senior government official said overnight that the coalition intends to disrupt every future secret ballot for state comptroller or president if it ends up in opposition, in retaliation for the July 2 High Court order rerunning the comptroller election. The court voided the June 3 vote in which Netanyahu's personal attorney Michael Rabello was chosen 61-57, after several Likud MKs filmed themselves marking ballots inside the booth in what the justices said broke the mandatory secret ballot. Justice Minister Yariv Levin had called on the government to defy the ruling and install Rabello, while Rabello said he will not take office without a fresh vote. The overnight remark sharpens the coalition-versus-court standoff as the Knesset enters its final legislative week before Israel's October election.