Israel cabinet defies Supreme Court ruling on regulator

Israel's government voted unanimously on Sunday to defy a Supreme Court ruling, marking the first time a sitting government has refused to comply with a decision from the nation's highest court and raising immediate warnings of a severe constitutional crisis. The cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, declared it would not recognize any decisions made by the country's broadcast regulator, the Second Authority for Television and Radio.

The dispute centers on the legal composition of the Second Authority's council. Israeli law requires a two-thirds quorum of its 15 members for the council to operate. After several resignations left the council below that threshold, the Supreme Court ruled on June 17 that it could continue functioning, suggesting the resignations were a result of government obstruction. The government, however, argues the council is legally defunct and lacks authority.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Justice Minister Yariv Levin brought the resolution to defy the court. In a statement, they asserted that a court decision requiring a public body to act contrary to the explicit text of a law is illegitimate. Karhi said High Court judges are not...