The Israeli Cabinet voted to disregard a June ruling by the High Court of Justice that allowed the Council of the Second Authority — a commercial broadcasting regulatory body — to resume operations even though it lacked the two-thirds of members required to operate, The Times of Israel reported on July 5. The decision has been criticized by Israeli opposition parties, some pragmatic members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition and Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who said disobeying the high court's ruling would cross a "red line."

The court ruling came amid a dispute over whether the Council of Second Authority can operate despite lacking enough members to make decisions under a 1990 law. If the Council of Second Authority is allowed to operate, it could facilitate the buyout of Israel's Channel 13 to a group of tech entrepreneurs, including a high-profile critic of the Netanyahu government. At least one Israeli government watchdog organization has called for sanctions against the lawmakers who voted to disregard the court ruling under the Israeli Contempt of Court Ordinance. In 2023, Netanyahu's pursuit of judicial reforms sparked nationwide protests and a general strike, eventually forcing his government to suspend many of these efforts.