High Court Questions Intervention in Karhi Bill Before Passage

Israel’s High Court of Justice heard petitions challenging alleged defects in the legislative process for Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi’s broadcast reform before the bill has completed passage. President Isaac Amit asked why the court should intervene at this late stage, while Justices Alex Stein and Yechiel Kasher stressed that halting an unfinished Knesset process would be unprecedented. Stein said the alleged procedural fouls could be considered after the legislation is complete. The petitions were filed by Hatzlacha, the Journalists’ Organization and the Press Council; the bill has cleared committee for its second and third readings.