Rabello withdraws as comptroller candidate, months after tainted election

Michael Rabello has withdrawn his candidacy for state comptroller, months after the High Court froze his appointment over a tainted Knesset vote. The move follows last week's election that left Netanyahu's bloc without a majority. Opposition parties plan to hold a new election for the position once the new Knesset is sworn in.

Michael Rabello has withdrawn his candidacy for state comptroller, Hebrew media reported Wednesday, months after the High Court of Justice froze his appointment over concerns that the Knesset vote in which he was elected was conducted improperly. Rabello, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's former personal lawyer, was elected by the Knesset on June 3 in a highly controversial vote where at least six coalition MKs violated the secret ballot requirement by filming their selection. The High Court subsequently ruled that a new election must be held, but Justice Minister Yariv Levin called on the Knesset not to abide by the ruling, and no repeat election has occurred. On Tuesday, the High Court lambasted Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana for his refusal to hold a new election. Rabello's decision to withdraw was first reported by Channel 12, which noted it comes after last week's election left Netanyahu's bloc without a parliamentary majority. Opposition parties have said they will prioritize holding a new election for comptroller once the new Knesset is sworn in next week.