High Court Cancels Minister's Removal of KAN Search Committee Chair

The court rejected each of those grounds. The justices said consulting with the Communications Ministry’s legal advisers did not constitute a failure to perform duties, noting that legal advice forms part of the ordinary work of an administrative body in public appointments.

Public officials are generally required to act according to binding legal advice. The court acknowledged that setting threshold conditions earlier in the process would have been preferable but found the issue did not justify removal. The appointments vetting committee had already examined the matter and concluded the process should not be canceled on that basis.

The court also found no evidentiary basis for the claim that Munitz had improperly involved an external person, noting that Munitz denied the allegation.

The decision canceled Karhi’s removal of Munitz and left in place the search committee’s prior actions. The court ordered the appointments process to advance for four pending council candidacies, including the appointment of Aliza Dayan Hamama and the proposed extensions of terms for Michal Raphaeli-Kaduri, Prof.

Menachem Ben-Sasson and Amir Sabhat. The vetting committee must complete its review by May 31. If it approves the candidates, their names must be transferred to Karhi, who must make a decision within seven days. The court did not order the minister to appoint the candidates but made clear that the process cannot remain stalled.

The search committee had been operating with two members. The justices determined that the committee’s previous actions remain valid. The court also left in place temporary orders extending the terms of some sitting council members until their appointment processes are completed.

Karhi criticized the ruling after it was issued. He said the decision was “on ice” and that he would not appoint the candidates recommended by Munitz.