Israeli Supreme Court Reviews Controversial Media Weakening Law Amid Ongoing Legislation

The Israeli Supreme Court convened on July 13, 2026, in an unprecedented move to hear petitions against the government’s proposed law aimed at weakening the media, even as the legislation is still under parliamentary consideration. The three-judge panel, led by President Isaac Amit and including Justices Alex Stein and Yechiel Kasher, examined three petitions filed by journalist organizations, the Press Council, and the "Hatzlacha" movement. This rare judicial intervention occurs while the coalition is pushing to pass the law in its second and third readings before the Knesset dissolves.

The law, proposed by Minister Shlomo Karai, has sparked intense controversy since October 2025, particularly due to a footnote stating that the government legal advisor Gali Baharav-Miara did not approve the bill as required. The court’s discussion comes amid heightened tensions between branches of government, following a recent constitutional crisis triggered by the government’s refusal to honor a Supreme Court ruling on the Second Authority for Television and Radio.

Meanwhile, the Knesset Communications Committee, now chaired by MK Avi Maoz (Noam), continues to debate last-minute amendments to the bill. Ultra-Orthodox parties are reportedly demanding the removal of a section mandating 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 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 scheduled for separate review at a later date.