Netanyahu pressed lawmakers to elect his lawyer as comptroller: Reports

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ruling Likud party pressured Knesset members to elect his personal lawyer Michael Rabello as state comptroller during a contentious parliamentary vote marred by allegations of systematic ballot secrecy violations, according to Israeli media reports on Wednesday.

Knesset vote controversy

The Knesset voted 61-57 to select Rabello for the watchdog post after a controversial repeat round was ordered when parliamentary officials discovered Likud lawmakers had allegedly been instructed to photograph and film their ballots to demonstrate loyalty to the premier and prove they had not "betrayed" Netanyahu, despite strict legal requirements mandating a secret ballot. Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi was filmed casting his vote for Rabello, while Likud lawmaker Hanoch Milwidsky posted a selfie clearly displaying a ballot bearing the candidate's name, Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

Opposition challenges

Opposition leaders accused Likud of severely undermining the election's integrity and announced they would petition Israel's High Court of Justice to annul the result entirely, arguing that coalition lawmakers had been systematically intimidated into revealing their voting choices. The Times of Israel reported that the second round was abruptly halted and rerun amid escalating allegations, with physical clashes erupting in the Knesset plenum during the chaotic process.

Auditor succession

Rabello is set to replace Matanyahu Englman as the independent government auditor and financial watchdog when Englman's seven-year term concludes this summer. The incoming comptroller's exceptionally close personal and professional ties to the prime minister have raised significant concerns among political critics regarding the future independence and impartiality of the oversight office.