Minister Shlomo Karhi in Kikar Studio: "Panic Channels Are Running Wild; the New Law Will Reduce Sabbath Violations"

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, in a heated interview at the Kikar studio, rejected claims that the new communications reform would lead to Sabbath violations. He attacked the legal advisory system as "thugs in robes" and accused it of harming the children of yeshiva students more than families of terrorists. He also had a message for his ultra-Orthodox partners, saying that waiting for approval from the High Court and the attorney general is like going to Laban the Aramean to ask for a blessing. Watch the full interview (News)

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi in a heated interview at the Kikar studio | Photo: Kikar HaShabbat

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi gave a special and pointed interview to Yossi Sergovskyy at the Kikar HaShabbat studio on the hottest issues on the agenda, from the new communications law that has caused a stir, through claims of harm to the sanctity of Shabbat, to the enlistment law crisis and the conduct of the High Court and the attorney general.

"Panic channels are running wild, they brought in ultra-Orthodox PR people"

At the start of the interview, Minister Karhi addressed the harsh attacks against him in recent days, as the vote on the new communications law approaches. According to him, the public uproar stems solely from the economic interests of the bodies that currently control the communications market.

"First of all, as we get closer to the finish line, to bringing the matter to a successful close, with God’s help, everyone is going wild," Karhi began. "All the monopolies that today hold power over consciousness, rule over the consciousness of the people, the panic channels, do not want the market to open. They do not want other voices to be heard. They do not want Kikar HaShabbat to get a channel, or i24 to be able to broadcast on cable and satellite. They want to continue controlling consciousness, and that is why they are going wild."

In a veiled criticism of United Torah Judaism, Yishai Cohen | 20:55

Karhi said the monopolies are trying to act against him actively within the ultra-Orthodox sector itself: "They are setting up headquarters, reportedly, and even recruiting ultra-Orthodox PR people so they will hang posters against me. As if I am the one they need to teach what Torah is, and what it means to protect heritage and values. Anyone who follows can see how much I do these things, and we are already facing votes tomorrow."

Sabbath violations in the government app? "A total lie"

The minister was asked directly about claims that the new app, which will replace the Idan Plus system, would legitimize and fund Sabbath desecration and sports broadcasts on the day of rest. Karhi rejected the claims outright and explained that the new setup would actually reduce Sabbath violations.

According to him, "Today the Idan Plus system costs the state NIS 40 million a year. This system employs technicians 24 hours a day, who maintain it even on Shabbat. We are canceling that! It becomes a website, like any government website or an ultra-Orthodox website whose servers are not shut down on Shabbat, but there are no technicians there actively desecrating Shabbat."

Minister Karhi further claimed that "we explicitly put into the law that sports games of public importance will not be broadcast live on the app on Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Show me any other legislation where someone dared to include a definition of the start of Shabbat or a holiday and their departure. In addition, the cost to the state will drop from NIS 40 million to only NIS 2 to 3 million a year."

Addressing concerns about offensive content on the app, Minister Karhi clarified that "obscene broadcasts will not be on the app, period. We put into the law that this will be prohibited for any registered content provider."

According to him, "We are working together with representatives of the ultra-Orthodox factions and with MK Avi Maoz on an objection that will further define the content. The regulator will be able to prevent channels that harm public sensitivities or promote conversion from going up on the app, and the rules will go through the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee."

"This law will reserve 10 free slots on all platforms for new news channels that will be established. It will allow additional media outlets to receive a free slot and not be dependent on monopolies," the communications minister added.

During the interview, Minister Karhi claimed that ultra-Orthodox PR people, reportedly hired by Keshet 12 to speak out against him, want to remain in control. Keshet categorically denied the claim, saying, "It never happened."

Enlistment law: "The attorney general is abusing the babies of Torah students"

The second part of the interview dealt with the enlistment law and the economic sanctions imposed on the ultra-Orthodox public and daycare centers. Karhi came to the defense of the ultra-Orthodox MKs and launched a direct attack on the legal system.

"The attorney general is not sitting on the side rubbing her hands in pleasure, she is reaching out actively," Karhi said sharply. "In her view, anyone who studies Torah needs to be abused. She harms the babies of Torah students more than the harm done to the families of terrorists or criminal families in the State of Israel. Their goal is to bring down the government and sow discord among us."

Karhi referred to the approval of the "Basic Law: Torah Study" in the ministerial committee and said, "This is a law that will neutralize the harm to daycare centers. Once there is a Basic Law that states that alongside the value of equality stands the value of Torah study, the High Court can no longer be used to cause harm. Of course, no one asked to equate grants for someone who has been in combat for 400 days with someone who has not, but this law will protect basic rights."

"It is forbidden to wait for a blessing from Laban the Aramean"

At the end, the minister sent a message to the ultra-Orthodox factions and called on them not to be alarmed by threats from the High Court and the legal advisory system: "I see the ultra-Orthodox factions as our natural and real partners. Some of the ultra-Orthodox MKs are waiting to receive the blessing of the legal advisory system and the High Court, and in my view that is like going to Laban the Aramean to ask him for a blessing. Their goal is the opposite, they enjoy the turmoil. We need to stand up to them and make clear: you do not decide. As the late Yitzhak Rabin said at the time, 'I am not afraid of the High Court judges, they will judge according to the laws that we enact.' That is what we need to do."