Communications Minister Removes Free Broadcast App from Law Amid Haredi Pressure and Legal Pushback

Less than two hours before a key discussion in the Knesset Communications Committee, Communications Minister Shlomo Karai introduced a revised version of the broadcasting law that significantly weakens consumer benefits and yields to pressure from Haredi parties and MK Avi Maoz. The original law had promised a government streaming app to replace the "Idan Plus" system, allowing free mobile viewing of public-interest sports events, particularly benefiting soldiers. However, Karai's new draft completely removes the app provision and the obligation to broadcast free sports events on mobile devices, citing concerns from Haredi factions about Sabbath violations despite prior assurances that the app would reduce such issues compared to the existing system.

Opposition MKs sharply criticized the changes, highlighting that soldiers and peripheral communities lose promised benefits. MK Yevgeny Sova (Yisrael Beiteinu) noted there is now no basis to claim soldiers will watch free sports on phones, while MK Shelly Tal Miron (Yesh Atid) accused the minister of backtracking on consumer empowerment claims. The last-minute amendments were sent to committee members shortly before the session, bypassing proper legal consultation. Legal advisor Adv. Matzada Metzlaoui contradicted Karai’s claim that the changes were agreed upon with legal counsel, stating the legal team received the revisions only on the day of the meeting.

The revised law also introduces new content restrictions under pressure from MK Maoz, allowing the new communications authority to ban multi-channel providers like HOT and yes from broadcasting content involving religious conversion, violence, or sexuality. This marks a reversal from earlier government promises not to interfere with content and contradicts prior committee chair Galit Distel Atbaryan’s warnings that such censorship would render the law unworkable.

The controversy has prompted an unprecedented Supreme Court hearing scheduled for the following day, before the law’s final approval. A panel of three justices will review three petitions against the law, marking the first time the court examines a bill prior to its enactment. Government legal advisor Gali Baharav-Miara has already expressed opposition to the law’s current forceful form. The Knesset aims to pass the law before its dissolution at the end of the week, ahead of crucial elections in three months.