Israeli Knesset Passes Controversial Communications Law Backed by Netanyahu and Minister Karei

Just before the Knesset's dissolution, the Israeli parliament approved the contentious Communications Law proposed by Minister Shlomo Karei with a narrow majority of 53 to 48 votes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had been absent from previous key votes, attended the debate but did not vote on the final text. Karei hailed the passage as a victory against the so-called "deep state" and thanked Netanyahu for entrusting him with the reform mission.

The law aims to deregulate the media market by allowing new news channels to operate with minimal oversight and abolishing the separation between channel owners and news companies. It also included a government app to provide free access to all news channels, a provision initially opposed by ultra-Orthodox parties over Sabbath and content concerns but later removed. The legislation faced legal challenges, including petitions to the Supreme Court by MKs Eitan Ginzburg and Efrat Rayten, and warnings from the Knesset legal advisor about procedural flaws and risks to media freedom.

Opposition MK Shelly Tal from Yesh Atid sharply criticized the law, warning of conflicts of interest involving Netanyahu, who is under indictment in media-related cases. She accused the government of orchestrating a media takeover and legislative chaos. The Democratic Party's Yair Golan and Israel Beytenu also condemned the law, pledging to repeal it in the next government. The law was pushed through despite warnings from the Attorney General and the Knesset legal advisor about threats to democratic media independence.

The law was debated in a special committee chaired by Galit Distel-Atbaryan, who defended it as a breakthrough for freedom of expression and media pluralism, promising lower consumer costs and zero government censorship. The vote was part of a legislative blitz before the Knesset's dissolution, with Netanyahu absent from other major votes but present for this one. The ultra-Orthodox parties, while not formally in the coalition, supported the law as part of a broader deal involving other legislation related to religious and political issues.

The passage of this law marks a significant shift in Israeli media regulation, with critics fearing increased government influence and erosion of independent journalism, while supporters argue it democratizes media access and reduces monopolies.