Israeli Communications Minister Concedes to Ultra-Orthodox Demands to Secure Support for Media Reform

Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi announced a significant amendment to the Communications Law following a political crisis with ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism. The amendment, based on a proposal by MK Avi Maoz, aims to prevent content that conflicts with religious values from being distributed via new content providers established under the law. Karhi stated he accepted Maoz's wording "following the demands of Shas and Degel HaTorah, as agreed in committee discussions," to avoid harming religious principles.

The amendment restricts the definition of "open content providers" to those registered and approved by the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Council before the law's enactment or those registered under the law's provisions. This change is intended to prevent unregulated new content services from distributing material that could violate religious norms, such as immodest content or broadcasts on the Sabbath. Ultra-Orthodox parties had previously threatened to oppose the law due to concerns it would undermine the status quo on religious matters and lacked sufficient safeguards regarding Sabbath broadcasts.

Karhi urged Shas and Degel HaTorah to support the right-wing media reform, criticizing Channel 12's campaign against the ultra-Orthodox and right-wing factions. However, as of the announcement, Shas and Degel HaTorah had not confirmed whether the amendment would be enough to change their opposition, leaving the coalition's majority to pass the reform uncertain. The dispute centered on the new government platform for broadcasting services, which the ultra-Orthodox fear could spread content contrary to their values and operate on the Sabbath without explicit legal restrictions.

The outcome of this political standoff remains unresolved, with the coalition seeking a compromise to secure the necessary votes for one of Karhi's key legislative initiatives.