'Government will not be run like mafia,' says Bennett as opposition reacts to comptroller election

Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett declared that the government "will not be run like a mafia" following the controversial election of Michael Rabello, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's personal attorney, to the position of state comptroller.

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soon the Israeli government will not be run like a mafia

The opposition swiftly reacted, warning that the vote was illegal and filing multiple petitions with the High Court of Justice to challenge its validity. Reports indicated that coalition lawmakers were compelled to film their ballots, following instructions from Netanyahu's Likud party, to ensure they voted for Rabello. This practice directly contravened the legal requirement for a secret ballot, designed to protect the integrity of the vote and prevent political pressure.

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in light of the violation of ballot secrecy and after intervention by the Knesset Speaker from the Likud faction against the position of the Knesset’s legal adviser.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid, on behalf of his Yesh Atid party, filed a petition citing the violation of ballot secrecy and alleged intervention by the Knesset Speaker. The Movement for Quality Government also submitted a petition, decrying the appointment as a severe conflict of interest and labeling the process "tainted before our eyes." The group stated that lawmakers were reportedly forced to document their votes as a "test of loyalty," against the Knesset's legal adviser's position.

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the appointment constituted a severe conflict of interest, and that it was carried out through a process that was 'tainted before our eyes, after Knesset members were reportedly required to document their vote in an unlawful manner as a test of loyalty, contrary to the position of the Knesset’s legal adviser.'

Bennett had previously condemned the election process as "fundamentally tainted," asserting that the votes were not free but constituted "extortion and intimidation." He argued that any claim that secrecy was optional in this case was mistaken, as the lawmakers' freedom of choice was compromised by threats. Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the appointment was an attempt to conceal responsibility for the October 7 events and prevent a state commission of inquiry. He criticized the method as "dictatorial" and damaging to Israeli democracy.

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These were not free votes, but rather extortion and intimidation of Likud MKs who are under the threat of a price tag from the boss.