Israel Police Fines Negev Mosques Over 'Noise' From Call to Prayer
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
Israeli police are fining mosques in the Negev region for noise violations related to the call to prayer. Activists argue this is a political tactic to gain electoral support, especially after failed legislative attempts to ban the call to prayer.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Police are fining Negev mosques for noise from the call to prayer.
- Activists call the police actions politically motivated and part of a larger campaign.
- The noise law is being used after attempts to ban the call to prayer failed.
- Claims of noise reaching settlements are disputed by local activists.
- The actions are seen as an attempt to gain electoral support.
Tensions are escalating in Israel's Negev region as police have begun issuing fines and citations to mosques, citing "noise and disturbance" caused by the call to prayer broadcast over loudspeakers. A local activist described the move as politically motivated.
Ayoub Al-Baz, a social political activist from the Bedouin town of Tel Al-Sabe, stated in a media interview that these actions are not new and follow previous campaigns where sound systems and loudspeakers were confiscated from several mosques. He explained that the use of noise pollution laws is a tactic employed after authorities failed to pass legislation to ban the call to prayer.
Al-Baz refuted claims that the call to prayer reaches nearby settlements and towns, asserting that the distances are too great and the sound levels are within normal limits. He suggested that these campaigns serve the political and electoral interests of the National Security Minister, aiming to garner support. He also alleged that police officers have entered mosques, violating their sanctity.
Al-Baz concluded by emphasizing the importance of a popular response from the Negev's residents to counter policies of constriction and demolition, urging broad participation in the upcoming elections to curb these ongoing measures.
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