Full Breakdown
Israeli High Court Reviews Governance Impasse at Public Broadcaster KAN
8/27/2026, 1:28:32 AM
The Quorum Crisis at KAN
The High Court of Justice heard arguments on October 28 2025 about the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation’s (KAN) governing council, which currently has five of the twelve legally mandated members. Three of those five serve under temporary court orders, and at least seven members are required for the council to convene and make decisions. The shortage becomes urgent because CEO Golan Yochpaz’s four-year term ends on November 6. Without a quorum, the council cannot extend his term, appoint a successor, or name an acting chief executive.
Legal Challenge and Ministerial Dispute
Petitioners, led by the nonprofit Hatzlacha, asked the court to allow a temporary extension of Yochpaz’s term until 60 days after the council regains a quorum. Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara and the five serving council members support the proposal. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, represented by lawyer David Peter, opposes a court-ordered extension, arguing the court lacks authority to appoint or extend the chief executive’s term. Karhi also seeks dismissal of the petitions, contending that circumstances have changed since they were filed. The hearing also addressed four pending petitions stemming from a May 12 partial judgment, which challenge Karhi’s refusal to extend the terms of three council members recommended by an independent search committee and his failure to appoint a fourth recommended candidate, Aliza Dayan Hamama.
Search for New Council Members
A separate search for six additional council seats has attracted 69 applications. State officials indicate that initial examination and scoring will continue until at least early October, after which interviews, committee reviews, and ministerial decisions are required. The process unfolds amid an election period that imposes extra legal restraints on senior public appointments.
Potential Outcomes and Next Steps
Supreme Court President Isaac Amit and Justices Ofer Grosskopf and Gila Canfy-Steinitz are examining the limits of Karhi’s discretion over candidates recommended by law. Grosskopf emphasized that the minister may approve or reject committee recommendations but cannot select council members himself. If the court endorses the temporary extension and the pending appointments are resolved, the council could achieve the seven-member quorum needed to operate. The final ruling remains pending.
