[107730] Political storm surrounding High Court decisions; renovation work began at the Cave of the Patriarchs

Tension in the judicial system and updates from the field

The political arena is noisy today following the High Court's decision to freeze the appointment of the State Comptroller, a move expected to lead to a situation where, starting next Sunday, as reported in Israel News | No Censorship, there will be no acting State Comptroller.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sharply attacked Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara and the High Court justices. According to a notice published on the Hot News channel, Smotrich claimed that the judicial system is "crossing red lines time after time" and is operating with "lack of authority" while taking Israeli democracy "hostage." According to him, these steps, which also include delays in the appointments of the heads of the Shin Bet and Mossad, are a "desecration and trampling" of the majority of the public, and he promised that the answer will be given "soon and in a big way at the ballot box."

Meanwhile, a significant development was reported on the civil-security level: Amit Segal reports that for the first time since the authorities were taken from the Hebron Municipality, Israel has begun renovation and roofing work at the Cave of the Patriarchs complex.