Opposition Demands Halt to Controversial Israeli Media Law Ahead of Supreme Court Hearing

Five opposition members of the Knesset's special committee on media legislation have urgently called to stop the legislative process of the Communications Law, citing significant last-minute changes introduced by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi. These amendments, inserted without committee approval just before a plenary vote, reportedly weaken key consumer protections and expand regulatory powers beyond the original scope.

The opposition letter, addressed to committee chair Galit Distel-Atbaryan and Knesset legal advisor Shagit Afik, highlights that the new text imposes a "catch-up" viewing obligation on all channels, including commercial news outlets, rather than only on the public broadcaster and Knesset channel as initially decided. It also broadens data reporting requirements from multi-channel pay-TV platforms to all registered providers, potentially granting the minister and the new Communications Authority sweeping authority to demand viewership data.

Another contentious change involves the removal of commercial non-discrimination safeguards, effectively forcing channels to sell content to competitors, which the opposition describes as an "absurd" outcome. The lawmakers accuse Minister Karhi of showing "a new level of contempt for the Knesset" by submitting these substantive amendments just 90 minutes before a scheduled committee discussion, leaving insufficient time for proper review.

The urgency stems from the impending dissolution of the Knesset and upcoming elections, pressuring the government to pass the law quickly. However, the opposition insists that this does not justify flawed legislation. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court is set to hold an unprecedented hearing today on petitions against the reform before it has even passed its second and third readings. Government legal counsel Gali Baharav-Miara has previously expressed opposition to the current version of the law.

The opposition demands a full disclosure of all changes, a thorough legal review, and warns against undermining the legislative process, emphasizing that the Knesset is not a "rubber stamp" for Minister Karhi's agenda.