Israeli Supreme Court Reviews Controversial Media Weakening Law Amid Ongoing Legislation

The Israeli Supreme Court convened on July 13, 2026, in an unprecedented session to hear petitions against the government’s proposed law aimed at weakening the media. The three-judge panel, led by President Isaac Amit and including Justices Alex Stein and Yechiel Kasher, examined the petitions while the Knesset was still in the process of passing the bill through its second and third readings. This rare judicial intervention occurred as the coalition pushed to approve the legislation before the Knesset’s dissolution.

The petitions were filed by the Journalists Association, the Press Council, and the "Hatzlacha" movement, who have opposed the bill since October 2025. The law has sparked intense controversy, particularly due to a footnote stating that the government legal advisor, Gali Baharav-Miara, did not approve the proposal, contrary to standard legal procedures. The court’s deliberations come amid heightened tensions between the branches of government, following a recent constitutional crisis triggered by the government’s refusal to honor a Supreme Court ruling concerning the Second Authority for Television and Radio.

Meanwhile, the Knesset’s Communications Committee, now chaired by MK Avi Maoz of the Noam party, continues to debate amendments to the bill. Ultra-Orthodox parties are reportedly demanding the removal of a section establishing a free app for "Idan Plus" broadcasts, citing concerns over Sabbath violations and inappropriate content. Petitioners submitted an urgent update to the court based on opposition MKs’ claims that significant and suspicious changes were made to the bill’s text between the committee approval and the final version presented to the Knesset plenum. Another petition by MKs Shelly Tal Miron and Yorai Lahav-Hertzanu from the Yesh Atid party is expected to be heard separately at a later date.