Knesset Legal Advisor Says Ban on Prohibited Broadcast Content Cannot Be Regulated Now

The Knesset's legal advisor, Attorney Shagit Afik, stated on July 6, 2026, that at the current stage of legislation, it is impossible to regulate the prohibition of forbidden broadcast content, including obscene material and child protection, within the Communications Law. This is because the relevant clause was separated from the main law at an earlier stage. The issue remains a central point of opposition from ultra-Orthodox parties, who refuse to support the law until restrictions on prohibited content in the government app replacing "Idan Plus" are properly addressed.

Last week, the Knesset's Communications Committee convened to discuss coalition members' objections to the Broadcasting Law, focusing mainly on the ultra-Orthodox parties' concerns. These include unresolved matters such as Sabbath desecration and the regulation of forbidden content on the new government streaming application intended to replace the current "Idan Plus" platform. The removal of child protection provisions and the split of the content restrictions from the main law have contributed to confusion and legislative difficulties.

Attorney Afik emphasized that due to the early separation of the content prohibition clause, the current legislative framework cannot effectively address these issues, leaving the law incomplete and a source of ongoing political friction within the coalition.