Naftali Bennett, former Prime Minister of Israel, criticized the election of Michael Rabello as state comptroller, asserting that it reflects a government operating under mafia-like conditions. Following the controversial vote in the Knesset, opposition parties, including Yesh Atid, filed petitions with the High Court of Justice, arguing that the election violated legal protocols by lacking secrecy and involving coercive tactics. Reports indicated that coalition members were pressured to document their votes, undermining the integrity of the election process. Bennett described the voting as extortion, claiming that lawmakers' freedom of choice was compromised. The Movement for Quality Government also expressed concerns over a severe conflict of interest due to Rabello's ties to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Opposition figures, including Avigdor Liberman and Yair Golan, condemned the election as indicative of a broader erosion of democratic norms, urging the public to participate actively in upcoming elections to counteract such practices.