Overview
- The Knesset voted to elect Michael Rabello in a second round, with the final count 61–57 after a restarted ballot following an inconclusive first vote on Wednesday, June 3.
- The first round produced a potentially decisive blank ballot and the plenum was paused after reports that coalition MKs were urged to photograph or film their secret ballots, with some deputies doing so.
- Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana halted the session to consult legal advisers and ordered the second round restarted from the beginning before Rabello won the seat.
- Israel’s parliamentary legal adviser said she will not annul the vote, while opposition leaders and watchdog groups have pledged to file petitions at the High Court to challenge the result.
- The office of State Comptroller audits ministries, public bodies and party finances, so critics say Rabello’s close ties to Prime Minister Netanyahu create a direct conflict of interest and could weaken independent oversight.