Communications Minister Agrees to Remove 'Sabbath-Violating' App to Secure Ultra-Orthodox Support

Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karai has agreed to remove the controversial free app for TV channels and sports broadcasts from the Communications Weakening Law to gain ultra-Orthodox backing. The ultra-Orthodox parties oppose the app, claiming its operation violates the Sabbath. Karai considers the app the core achievement of the law, benefiting consumers unlike other regulatory benefits favoring wealthy channel owners and political control over media.

Despite Karai's concession, ultra-Orthodox leaders want additional legislation passed first, including laws on arrests, daycare, military exemption, and kosher certification, before supporting Karai's bill. Karai bypassed Shas leader Aryeh Deri by directly appealing to Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, a senior Shas Torah Council sage, who conveyed that the Netanyahu-ultra-Orthodox deal takes precedence. Deri viewed Karai's move as "unfriendly."

Karai also approached Yehuda Torah chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf, who reiterated the demand to disable the government app on the Sabbath, a request Karai accepted. Karai proposed fully removing the app and its related provisions from the law, which would require returning the bill to committee for revision, effectively restarting the legislative process. This procedural step was confirmed by the Knesset legal bureau after Goldknopf sought clarification.

Karai has been actively negotiating with ultra-Orthodox lawmakers, including offering to allow some parts of the bill to pass while rejecting others during the Knesset vote. The legal advice indicates that removing the app section necessitates amending or removing all related clauses, requiring committee discussion. The ultra-Orthodox insist on these conditions before endorsing the Communications Weakening Law.