National Security Minister Ben Gvir Clashes with Arab MKs During Controversial Muezzin Noise Law Debate

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir delivered a fiery speech in the Knesset on Wednesday during discussions of a bill aimed at limiting excessive noise from muezzins. From the moment he took the podium, Arab opposition MKs, including Walid al-Huashla of Ra'am, interrupted with loud shouts, prompting the Knesset speaker to remove several MKs from the chamber. Ben Gvir responded by demanding the protesting MKs leave, accusing them of hypocrisy and undermining Israeli sovereignty.

In his speech, Ben Gvir criticized the opposition for condemning crime in Arab towns like Tayibe, Umm al-Fahm, and Sakhnin while opposing efforts to restore state authority in the Negev and Arab communities. He emphasized that the noise regulation bill is not targeted at any specific group but aims to protect all residents, including those in Arab and Bedouin towns, citing numerous complaints from places like Rahat. He accused opposition MKs of encouraging the disturbances the bill seeks to prevent.

Ben Gvir praised coalition partners such as MK Tzvika Fogel and Environment Minister Idit Silman for their roles in advancing the legislation and highlighted his cooperation with security and enforcement agencies. He also lauded Coalition Chairman Ofir Katz for leading important legislative efforts neglected for decades.

The minister sharply condemned the opposition for moral hypocrisy and disregard for real suffering, citing children in Rahat disturbed by noise and women subjected to abuse. He accused them of ignoring these issues despite championing civil rights rhetoric. Ben Gvir also expressed deep disappointment with MK Moshe Gafni of United Torah Judaism for political alliances with Arab MKs, calling such deals harmful to Israel and the ultra-Orthodox community.

Ben Gvir concluded by urging all Knesset members to support the bill, asserting that his faction truly cares about citizens’ rights, children, women, and the state, while accusing opponents of continuing to shout without addressing these problems.