After a Dramatic Vote, Attorney Michael Ravilo Is Chosen as Israel’s Next State Comptroller

With a majority of 61 votes, the Knesset plenum approved this afternoon (Wednesday) the selection of attorney Michael Ravilo for the position of State Comptroller. Ravilo defeated retired Justice Yosef Elron, who won the support of 57 Knesset members.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the appointment: "I congratulate attorney Michael Ravilo on his election to the position of State Comptroller. In the coming days, I will invite him to a first working meeting in his new role. I wish attorney Ravilo great success in the position. We will work together in full cooperation for the benefit of the public service in the State of Israel."

The Knesset plenum convened this morning for a special session to elect Israel’s 10th State Comptroller. The vote was secret and took place behind a partition. At the end of the first round, 60 Knesset members voted for Elron and 57 for Ravilo.

Under the State Comptroller Law, a candidate must receive 61 votes in the first ballot. Because of that, a second vote was scheduled, in which the candidate receiving the higher number of votes would be elected. That vote was preceded by drama, following information that coalition Knesset members had been asked to photograph themselves voting for Ravilo behind the partition. It was not disclosed who gave the instruction.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana halted the voting process, consulted legal advisers, and ordered a new vote from the beginning. He explained that Knesset members have the right to photograph themselves, since this was a private vote behind a partition.

At the end of the vote count in the repeat ballot, Ravilo was, as noted, elected to the position. He will replace the current State Comptroller, Matanyahu Englman, whose term ends on July 4, 2026. Ravilo is expected to serve in the role for seven years, with no possibility of renewal.

It should be noted that attorney Ravilo until recently served as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s personal lawyer, and was Netanyahu’s candidate for the position of State Comptroller. The Yesh Atid faction announced after the vote that it would petition the High Court against the selection, arguing that the process was "tainted."