Israeli Parliament Advances Law to Regulate Mosque Loudspeakers Amid Noise Complaints

The Israeli Knesset approved in a preliminary vote a bill aimed at preventing unreasonable noise from mosque loudspeakers, with 50 members supporting and 36 opposing. The bill, initiated by National Security Committee Chairman MK Tzvika Fogel of Otzma Yehudit, will now proceed to a committee for further preparation before advancing in the legislative process. The legislation prohibits installing or operating loudspeaker systems in mosques without proper permits and grants police authority to enter sites suspected of violations to stop the noise and confiscate equipment if the offense continues.

Under the proposed law, operating a loudspeaker without a permit would incur a fine of 50,000 shekels, while violating permit conditions would result in a 10,000 shekel fine. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who supports the bill, emphasized the importance of enforcing noise regulations to protect residents’ rights and public order, citing long-standing complaints from communities such as Rahat and the Negev Bedouin.

MK Fogel stressed that the issue transcends politics, highlighting that noise laws apply equally to event halls, private businesses, and all houses of worship. The bill received backing from Shas and Yisrael Beiteinu, while United Torah Judaism members were absent from the vote. Reports suggest their absence was linked to a political dispute involving Arab parties boycotting a preliminary vote on a Basic Law concerning Torah study.

The bill’s explanatory notes point to widespread public health and quality-of-life concerns caused by continuous loudspeaker noise from mosques, a problem persisting for decades in Israel. It also references similar restrictions in Muslim-majority countries like Egypt and Saudi Arabia, where loudspeaker use is regulated or nearly banned to reduce noise pollution.