Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi on Sunday vowed to ignore an interim order issued by the High Court of Justice that ordered him to extend the tenure of a council member of the Kan Public Broadcast Corporation until the court issues a final decision on Karhi’s refusal until now to appoint new members to the council.

Karhi, who has been in a legislative battle to dismantle the public broadcaster, called the High Court ruling “unlawful,” and said that he will instead appoint Kan’s council members through a committee he created.

Kan council member Amir Sabhat’s tenure is due to end on July 13, which would leave just five spaces filled on the 12-member panel.

Since the quorum for decision-making on the council is seven, it has practically ceased to function after five members retired in November last year and another retired in February this year.

The council is therefore unable to approve budgets, set broadcast policy, or wield authority on any other matter for the public broadcaster.

Karhi has insisted that new council members will be appointed by a selection committee, but that has yet to transpire.

The Likud minister vowed not to abide by the High Court’s ruling that he must extend Sabhat’s tenure, calling it “unlawful” and claiming that only the communications minister can extend a council member’s tenure.

“In the State of Israel, everyone is subject to the law, including their highnesses,” Karhi said acerbically about the High Court justices.

This is not the first time that Karhi has vowed to defy the High Court regarding the appointment of members to........

© The Times of Israel