A new bill promoted by Otzma Yehudit is emerging as a political test for whether any hidden understanding exists between Haredi and Arab factions in the Knesset. Coalition leaders are watching how United Torah Judaism's Degel HaTorah faction votes, amid claims from the Haredi side that no such deal exists and that its opposition stems from a broader decision not to back government legislation.
The suspicion of a so-called "Gafni-Tibi" arrangement grew after Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni escalated his fight with the coalition last week and ordered his faction to oppose budget transfers in the Finance Committee, blocking them. The article says Haredi leaders have denied any secret alliance with opposition factions, including the Arab parties, even though they are not part of the coalition and had already announced they would not support government bills.
The current bill was introduced by National Security Committee chairman MK Zvika Fogel of Otzma Yehudit. It would impose significant limits on loud public-address systems, restricting decibel levels and hours of use. The measure is widely opposed by Arab factions because it is aimed mainly at mosque muezzin calls.
Under the proposal, a mosque could not install or operate a loudspeaker system without a permit. Approval would depend on noise levels, steps taken to reduce sound, the mosque's location, its proximity to residential areas, and the impact on residents. If the rules are broken, a police officer could order an immediate stop, and continued violations could lead to confiscation of the sound system. Degel HaTorah again said there are no agreements, adding that any opposition to the bill would simply reflect the Haredi parties' blanket refusal to support coalition legislation.
