Israeli Coalition Faces Opposition Over Controversial Communications Law Reform

The Communications Law, a flagship initiative by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi aimed at transforming Israel's television market, passed its second and third readings in the Knesset Communications Committee on Monday. The bill now awaits final approval in the Knesset plenum but faces significant hurdles as the ultra-Orthodox parties, United Torah Judaism and Shas, have declared their opposition.

The law proposes to allow the creation of new news channels with minimal regulation, abolish the existing separation between channel owners and news companies, and introduce a government app offering free access to all news channels. Content providers such as HOT, Yes, and Partner would be required to include these news channels alongside others. However, United Torah Judaism objects, citing concerns that the government app would operate on the Sabbath and potentially broadcast content contrary to their religious values. Shas also opposes the bill, stating that their requested amendments to protect religious values were excluded. Shas has urged Minister Karhi to split the bill, supporting only the regulatory relief sections related to new channels like Channel 14.

The Knesset legal advisor, Shagit Afik, identified numerous significant legislative flaws in the bill. Opposition members of the Communications Committee criticized the process, accusing Minister Karhi of undermining free press and disregarding legal counsel and parliamentary procedures. They highlighted that over 60 committee meetings and more than 6,000 objections were submitted, resulting in the splitting of 60% of the bill. The opposition warned that the bill’s content could introduce sexual and pornographic material on a government platform and eliminate the requirement for news reliability.

Opposition MKs Efrat Rayten, Shelly Tal Miron, Eitan Ginzburg, Yevgeny Sova, Merav Ben Ari, and Walid al-Huashla stated their commitment to continue fighting the bill in the Knesset and, if necessary, through legal channels. Their goal remains to prevent irreversible harm to press freedom, media independence, freedom of expression, and the foundational values of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.

The final fate of the Communications Law remains uncertain as it faces opposition from key coalition partners and legal scrutiny before the full Knesset vote.