Ultra-Orthodox Parties Split Over Controversial Broadcast Bill

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi’s broadcasting bill is reaching its final stages, but it has exposed deep disagreements among Israel’s ultra-Orthodox parties. The legislation would create a government-run streaming app that would host existing television channels, including ones that broadcast on Saturdays and carry content described in the article as “immodest.” It would also allow additional channels to be added later.

During a Knesset debate on Wednesday, MK Avi Maoz warned the plan could lead to “Sabbath desecration and obscene broadcasts” in a state app. For Agudat Yisrael chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf, the issue is a red line because the app would be operated with public money and would, in his view, break the status quo. He said his position is “yihareg ve’al ya’avor,” meaning absolutely nonnegotiable.

Goldknopf said the app must be shut down on Shabbat and Jewish holidays, and he rejected partial limits or vague wording. “There is no need for partial reductions, no need for restrictions on this or that content, and no need for ambiguous wording,” he told the committee. “It is inconceivable that the State of Israel will establish, fund and operate with public money a government broadcasting app that will be active on Shabbat.” He also demanded an explicit ban on sexual, pornographic, missionary and violent content.

Shas is aligning with Karhi and is expected to support the bill. The key uncertainty is United Torah Judaism’s Degel HaTorah faction, which is demanding the daycare bill in exchange for supporting the communications legislation. The article says MK Moshe Gafni may find it hard to follow Goldknopf into outright opposition, but could be forced to do so.