At the beginning of August, the High Court of Justice is expected to deliver a verdict on a petition asking to transfer the decision regarding the export of natural gas on Israel’s coast, from the government to the Knesset — due to this issue’s great public and economic importance.

The petition's background was the government’s decision on June 23 to export 40% of natural gas. The petition was submitted by Labor Party leader Shelly Yachimovich and Knesset member professor Avishay Braverman of the Labor Party, Knesset member Moshe Gafni of the ultra-Orthodox party Yahadut HaTorah and former speaker of the Knesset, Knesset member Reuven (Rubi) Rivlin of the Likud Party.

If the High Court of Justice rules in favor of the appellants, it will cause much drama. It will be perceived as a tremendous victory in the spirit of the social justice protest, and it will symbolize the return of the Knesset’s lost honor — whose status has been declining over the last five years. The prime minister’s office is very worried over the possibility that the High Court may intervene in the government’s decision; in fact, in internal discussions with the Finance Ministry, the idea was raised for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to appear personally before the High Court.

Braverman, professor of economics and former minister, serves today as chairman of the Knesset’s Economic Affairs Committee. In an interview with Al-Monitor, he explains why the petition was submitted and sketches an alarming and sad picture of a weakened and diseased Knesset that is rapidly losing its relevance. In Braverman’s view, the High Court natural gas petition was an urgent and vital act, intended to get the state of Israel back on the track of good governance.