Feed aggregator

Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday sharply criticized the government’s decision to reject a Supreme Court ruling concerning the Second Authority for Television and Radio, warning that refusing to comply with court decisions threatens the country’s unity and constitutional order.

In an official statement released by the President’s Office, Herzog addressed the growing standoff between the government and the judiciary after the cabinet instructed the Second Authority not to follow the High Court’s ruling.

“Statements about refusing to obey rulings of the Supreme Court strike at the heart of the unity of the nation,” Herzog wrote.

He continued, “I have said it before, and I will repeat it again and again—disobeying a court ruling is a red line that must not be crossed under any circumstances.”

The government, however, maintains that the Supreme Court itself has no authority to issue rulings that contradict explicit statutory law, as it argues occurred in the case involving the Second Authority. Ministers contend that the government’s authority derives from the law enacted by the Knesset and that the Court cannot invalidate clear legal provisions.

Earlier Sunday, in what many legal observers described as an unprecedented move in Israel’s judicial history, the cabinet unanimously approved a resolution declaring that it would not recognize the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the Second Authority for Television and Radio. The proposal was jointly advanced by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, marking a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict between the executive and judicial branches.

Under the resolution, the government declared that because the Second Authority’s governing council no longer meets the minimum legal requirements established by law, all of its actions are considered legally void. The resolution stated, “You have no authority to trample the law,” adding, “A ruling that contradicts the law will not be recognized, and decisions made pursuant to it are null and void.”

The dispute stems from a Supreme Court decision issued in mid-June allowing the Second Authority’s council, headed by Mordechai Mordechai, to continue operating despite the collective resignation of six of its members. According to reports, those resignations followed pressure allegedly exerted by associates of the communications minister.

Government officials argue that the council’s remaining membership fell below the two-thirds quorum required under the law governing the Second Authority. Karhi and Levin signed a legal opinion asserting that the council’s current composition clearly violates the statute and that any decisions it makes therefore lack legal validity.

The government resolution further stated, “The government will use every legal tool at its disposal to overturn the court’s decision.” It added, “The rule of law binds all branches of government, including the court itself. A ruling that directly contradicts the clear language of the law cannot be considered binding.”

Although the confrontation has not yet produced immediate practical consequences, legal experts warn that if the Second Authority takes action under the authority of the Supreme Court’s ruling while the government refuses to recognize those actions, Israel could face a full-scale constitutional crisis, forcing government officials to choose whether to obey the cabinet or the Supreme Court.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Sunday that House Republicans are preparing another effort to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, expressing confidence that attaching the legislation to a budget reconciliation package will give it its best chance of becoming law. Johnson said both he and President Donald Trump consider the measure a top legislative priority.

Appearing on “Fox News Sunday,” Johnson explained that lawmakers were dismissed to spend the Independence Day holiday in their home districts before returning to focus on the election-integrity legislation.

“I just decided it was best to send everybody home to go celebrate July 4th in their districts. We’ll come back, get everybody together. The big urgency is to get SAVE America passed. The president has that as a top priority, and so do I. We passed it three times in the House. We’re going to try one more time on a budget reconciliation bill, and I think that will be the way to get it through the Senate, and finally, to the president’s desk so that is forthcoming.”

Johnson also discussed additional election reforms that President Trump would like to pursue, while acknowledging that some proposals may face greater obstacles than the SAVE Act.

“He would like to add, the prohibition of mail in ballots, except for exceptions, like if somebody is deployed overseas or they’re ill or can’t get to the polling place. But he understands that one is a bigger reach. If we can get proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote, that eliminates so much of the problem, all the fraud and everything that everybody’s concerned about in our elections, particularly, frankly, in these blue states. Look, California, they’re still counting ballots from an election that happened a month ago. It’s crazy, and everybody understands it.”

A major political and legal confrontation erupted on Sunday after the Israeli government unanimously approved an unprecedented decision refusing to recognize a ruling by the Supreme Court regarding the Second Authority for Television and Radio. The move has dramatically escalated tensions between Israel’s executive and judicial branches.

The government’s decision drew immediate and fierce criticism from Deputy Attorney General Dr. Gil Limon, who accused the coalition of attempting to undermine the rule of law. He described the measure as “an attempt to normalize a systematic violation of the law.”

According to Limon, “The government has submitted a proposed resolution that explicitly ignores an interim order of the Supreme Court, with the goal of declaring that it will not accept claims based on judicial decisions.”

‘A Red Line That Must Never Be Crossed’

President Isaac Herzog also strongly condemned the government’s decision, warning that defying the nation’s highest court threatens the country’s democratic foundations.

In an official statement, Herzog declared that “Noncompliance with a Supreme Court ruling is a red line that must never be crossed under any circumstances.” He added that “Statements advocating disobedience of Supreme Court rulings strike at the very heart of national unity.”

The controversial resolution was jointly introduced by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi and Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin. It states that as long as the Second Authority Council does not meet the minimum legal requirements established by law, every decision, appointment, approval, or action taken by the council is to be considered legally void from the outset.

According to the government’s position, any court ruling that directly contradicts the clear language of the law is itself invalid.

Attorney General: ‘A Serious Attempt to Undermine the Court’

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara submitted her official response to the Supreme Court, sharply criticizing the government’s action. She argued that it represents “a serious attempt to thwart the decisions of the court and intimidate those who seek to carry them out.”

Israel Bar Association chairman Amit Becher also denounced the move, calling it “a complete destruction of the rule of law and democracy in Israel.”

“The attempt to ignore the court’s ruling comes alongside efforts to destroy freedom of the press,” Becher said. “A government cannot violate a court ruling, and a government that is not subject to the law betrays its duty and rebels against the state and its people.” He urged opponents to resist the decision “by every legal means.”

The dispute stems from a Supreme Court ruling issued in mid-June that reinstated the Second Authority Council appointed under the previous government. The court allowed the council to continue functioning even though its membership had fallen below the legal minimum of two-thirds of its full complement, as specified in the governing statute.

The government, however, maintains that once the council no longer satisfies the legal quorum required by law, it loses the authority to act. Ministers further argue that even the Supreme Court lacks the power to issue rulings that conflict with explicit legislation.

The resolution adopted Sunday emphasizes that the rule of law binds every branch of government, including, according to the government’s position, the judiciary itself.

It is with great sadness that Matzav.com reports the passing of R’ Kalman Mendlowitz z”l, a beloved member of the Boro Park community whose name became synonymous with warmth, integrity, and making simchos run seamlessly.

For decades, generations of families celebrated their happiest moments in halls that he owned and operated, knowing they were in the hands of someone who cared as much about their joy as they did.

R’ Kalman was the driving force behind Ateres Shlomo Hall on New Utrecht Avenue and 77th Street, one of Brooklyn’s most well-known wedding halls. Together with his family, he also operated Sasson V’Simcha, a pair of halls that hosted everything from bar mitzvahs and sheva brachos to large weddings. Thousands of Yidden marked life’s milestones under his watchful eye, and countless families came away not only satisfied, but deeply appreciative of the way he treated them.

Those who worked with him or celebrated their simchos in his halls invariably described him in the same way: a true mentch. He was known for being gracious, accommodating, fair, and committed to providing excellent food and impeccable service. More than a businessman, he was someone who understood that behind every event was a family experiencing one of the most meaningful days of its life.

His extraordinary dedication was perhaps best illustrated in 2009, when Ateres Shlomo was unexpectedly shut down by authorities on the very day of a scheduled wedding. Faced with what could have been a devastating situation for the chosson and kallah, R’ Kalman sprang into action. He immediately contacted Ateres Chaya, arranged for the wedding to be relocated, and coordinated a remarkable logistical effort. Already-prepared food was transported across Boro Park, his own waiters accompanied it, and the staffs of both halls worked tirelessly throughout the day to recreate the wedding. Thanks to his quick thinking, determination, and refusal to let a family’s joy be ruined, the chasunah went forward successfully.

That episode reflected the values by which he lived. Solving problems quietly, easing the burdens of others, and doing whatever was necessary to preserve another person’s simcha came naturally to him.

One friend told Matzav.com, “Kalman was a prince of a man who allowed people to make simchos with the greatest of ease and totally stress-free.”

R’ Kalman came from a family that devoted its life to bringing joy to Klal Yisroel. His father, R’ Avrohom Abish Mendlowitz z”l, was an example of what an ehrliche Yid should be. “Not a bad word can be said about him, just as he never said a bad word about anyone else,” said a friend. Those qualities of humility, kindness, and respect for others were clearly passed down to the next generation.

His brother was the legendary Jewish music producer R’ Sheya Mendlowitz z”l, whose influence on contemporary Jewish music is immeasurable. He was niftar in 2023.

Together, the Mendlowitz family occupied a unique place in the lives of Yidden. The father embodied ehrlichkeit, one son elevated Jewish music, and another created the setting in which families celebrated their most cherished occasions. For decades, they helped bring happiness to the lives of others in different but complementary ways.

Those who knew R’ Kalman will remember not only the beautiful halls and delicious meals, but the calm reassurance he brought to every event. Families entrusted him with weddings, bar mitzvahs, and other milestones because they knew he would treat their simcha as though it were his own.

The levayah was held on Friday morning at Shomrei Hadas Chapels in Boro Park, just hours before Shabbos.

Yehi zichro boruch.

{Matzav.com}