JERUSALEM — Israel's High Court of Justice ordered a new Knesset election for the position of state comptroller on July 2, 2026. The court's decision invalidated Michael Rabello's June 3 election to the role.

The Supreme Court, sitting as the High Court of Justice, unanimously ruled that a substantive flaw occurred in the second round of voting regarding the secrecy of the ballot. Both Rabello and retired Supreme Court Justice Yosef Elron were candidates in the second round of voting on June 3. Rabello received 61 votes, while Elron received 57 votes. Several Members of Knesset documented their votes with video recordings during the round.

The High Court of Justice issued an interim order on July 1, freezing Rabello's entry into the role. The order stated: "In light of the necessary timetable given the end of the term of the serving state comptroller, and in order to allow sufficient time for a ruling in the proceeding, an interim order is hereby issued under which the entry of respondent 2 in the HCJ petition, attorney Michael Rabello, into the position of state comptroller will be frozen until a ruling is issued in the proceeding."

Matanyahu Englman's term as state comptroller ended on Sunday, July 5, 2026. The Supreme Court decision was issued by President Isaac Amit, Deputy President Noam Sohlberg, Justice Dafna Barak Erez, Justice Gila Canfy Steinitz, and Justice Ruth Ronnen.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana is holding phone consultations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's aides on how to respond to the court decision.