Israeli Parliament Passes Law Requiring Public Bodies to Send Voice Messages to Kosher Phones

The Knesset approved a new law proposed by Deputy Communications Minister Israel Eichler mandating public bodies to send recorded voice messages to kosher mobile phones that do not receive text messages. The legislation, passed in its second and third readings just before the Knesset's dissolution, requires entities such as the Tax Authority, Population and Immigration Authority, and National Insurance Institute to provide important electronic communications as voice calls to these devices.

Under the law, recipients can listen to the voice message again by calling back the number from which the message was sent, or through repeated delivery attempts to ensure receipt. Eichler praised the law as a significant advancement for the community that follows rabbinic guidance to avoid non-kosher technology, stating that they deserve equal rights to other Israelis. He also pledged to push for expanding the law in the next Knesset to cover all government authorities sending essential voice messages to phones without text capabilities.

This legislation aims to accommodate the needs of users of kosher phones, who typically avoid standard smartphones and SMS services, ensuring they receive critical public communications in an accessible format.