The High Court of Justice unanimously invalidated Michael Rabello’s election as state comptroller over a secret-ballot issue, ordering a new Knesset vote days before he was set to take office.Follow us on GoogleAttorney Michael Rabello, candidate for the State Comptroller seen at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on June 1, 2026.(photo credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)ByKESHET NEEVJULY 2, 2026 17:00Updated: JULY 2, 2026 17:34The High Court of Justice ruled unanimously on Thursday that the Knesset's controversial vote to appoint attorney Michael Rabello as state comptroller was invalid and that new elections must be held.In its ruling, the court stated that a "fundamental defect occurred in the secrecy of the ballot and that the defect requires the annulment of the vote and the holding of a new election." The ruling was reached by a unanimous vote of a five-judge panel.The decision came just days before Rabello was due to begin his term; therefore, starting Sunday, there will be no sitting state comptroller, as the decision made no mention of an extension of the term of current comptroller Matanyahu Englman.On Wednesday, the High Court froze attorney Rabello’s entry into office as state comptroller, after considering petitions seeking to overturn the Knesset vote that elected him.Rabello was elected on June 3 after a disputed two-round Knesset vote. In the first round, retired Supreme Court justice Yosef Elron received 60 votes, and Rabello received 57, leaving both candidates short of the required 61-vote majority.ISRAELI PRIME Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the State Comptroller elections at the plenum of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 3, 2026. (credit: YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)Knesset will hold a new vote after Rabello elected state comptroller, disputes over secret ballotsA second round was then held. Opposition lawmakers alleged that coalition MKs had been asked to photograph or film their ballots behind the curtain, despite the requirement that the state comptroller be elected by secret ballot. The vote was halted and restarted, after which Rabello defeated Elron 61-57.A series of petitions followed, including from Yesh Atid and the Movement for Quality Government in Israel. The petitioners argued that documenting votes turned the secret ballot into a loyalty test and could have prevented MKs from voting freely.The court previously proposed that the Knesset hold a new vote in order to resolve the dispute. After Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana rejected that proposal, the court issued a conditional order requiring the Knesset, Rabello, Likud, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to explain why the result should not be annulled.Rabello, the Knesset, Likud, and Netanyahu have opposed the petitions. They have argued that there was no proof that MKs were instructed or coerced to document their ballots, and that no explicit rule barred lawmakers from voluntarily recording their own vote.Rabello has also rejected claims that his longstanding professional ties to Netanyahu, Likud, the Prime Minister’s Office, and ministers should disqualify him from the role. He has argued that any specific conflict of interest can be addressed through an arrangement once he enters office.Yesh Atid welcomed the High Court of Justice's decision to invalidate the process for electing the state comptroller and order a new vote.Supreme Court President Isaac Amit and Supreme Court justices arrive for a hearing at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on petitions seeking to overturn the election of attorney Michael Rabello as State Comptroller, June 28, 2026. (credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)Opposition leader Yair Lapid stated, "Our petition saved not only the dignity of the Knesset, but also the institution of the state comptroller. We will continue to safeguard the rule of law and ensure that the State of Israel remains a democracy."Sarah Ben-Nun and Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report. Follow us on Google