In Israel, state comptroller vacancy halts whistleblower protection — Jerusalem Post
In Israel, the absence of a state comptroller after Matanyahu Englman's term ended on July 5 has halted the consideration of some whistleblower complaints and limited oversight of election campaign financing. This was reported by the Jerusalem Post. The law does not provide for an official who automatically assumes all of the comptroller's powers during a vacancy, so staff at the institution cannot independently make decisions in new cases or approve completed reports for publication.
The vacancy arose after the High Court of Justice on July 2 annulled the election of attorney Michael Rabello as Englman's successor. The court ordered a new vote between the two candidates who had already taken part in the procedure. The reason was that several Knesset members recorded or otherwise disclosed their votes during the second round of the secret ballot.
Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana has not yet convened a repeat vote. According to Israeli reports, he said that parliament had already expressed its position and did not intend to hold new elections. Knesset legal adviser Sagit Afik, for her part, indicated that parliament is obliged to implement the court ruling and that its dissolution does not prevent a vote for comptroller.
Workers' complaints halted
Israel's state comptroller also serves as ombudsman and may issue temporary or permanent orders to protect civil servants who have faced persecution after reporting corruption. Such decisions may halt dismissals or salary reductions, provide for reinstatement, compensation, or transfer to another suitable position.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Rachel El-Shai Rosenfeld, head of the whistleblower protection unit at the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, said that ongoing reviews had been halted and new complaints were being rejected without consideration. A letter from the organization dated July 9 documented a case in which the comptroller's office informed a whistleblower whose complaint was already under review that the procedure had been suspended due to the absence of an authorized official.
According to Rosenfeld, an employee who said he was fired after reporting wrongdoing and who sought urgent protection went to the labor court. According to the lawyer who advised him, legal costs amounted to nearly 90,000 shekels, or about $30,000. In labor court, parties may testify under oath and be questioned by representatives of the employer.
Oversight of election finances
The state comptroller reviews the income, donations and expenditures of political parties and primary candidates, and also oversees organizations whose activities are regulated by rules concerning entities active during elections. During a campaign, the comptroller may request documents and provide parties, candidates and such organizations with clarifications on whether financial activities comply with the law.
Guy Lurie, a research fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute, noted that the vacancy itself does not make future elections invalid. At the same time, the absence of an official who can request information and update clarifications may create additional opportunities to circumvent rules on donations and spending.
