The Israeli Knesset approved a preliminary bill on Wednesday that seeks to prohibit the broadcasting of the Muslim call to prayer, known as the adhan, through loudspeakers in Israel, according to multiple media reports. The bill, described by proponents as a measure to tighten law enforcement against "mosque noise," passed its first reading with a vote of 50 to 36 in the 120-member parliament, as reported by Yedioth Ahronoth.
Bill Sponsors and Supporters
Introduced by the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the legislation received backing from the opposition Yisrael Beiteinu party, headed by right-wing politician Avigdor Lieberman. The bill must clear three additional readings before it can become law.
Reactions from Palestinian Leaders
Rawhi Fattouh, head of the Palestinian National Council, condemned the move as a "crime" and "legislative terrorism." In a statement, Fattouh said the bill is "a blatant violation of freedom of worship and belief." He emphasized that banning the adhan via loudspeakers would effectively strip it of its practical purpose, as the call serves to notify Muslims of prayer times rather than being merely a ritual recited inside mosques.
Details of the Proposed Legislation
According to Israel’s Channel 14, the proposed legislation stipulates that no sound system may be installed or operated in any mosque without explicit prior authorization. Critics argue that this would severely restrict the ability of Muslims to perform the adhan, which has been a longstanding tradition in Islamic practice.
