Israeli Supreme Court Suspends Key Provisions of Media Weakening Law

On July 19, 2026, the Israeli Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction halting the immediate implementation of several controversial provisions in the media weakening law proposed by MK Karei. The suspended sections included allowing HOT and yes (Bezeq) to broadcast advertisements on cable and satellite platforms, lifting cross-ownership restrictions to permit these companies to own news channels, and expanding the i24NEWS channel's reach on HOT without a broadcasting license. The injunction also froze the cancellation of structural separation requirements between news companies and broadcasting entities, which critics argued exposed newsrooms to foreign-political and business interests of channel owners.

Additionally, the court paused the removal of mandatory investments in news content, such as the 50 million shekel requirement for Channel 14, and blocked the repeal of the obligation for Channels 14 and i24NEWS to relocate to Jerusalem, which had been linked to fines from the Second Authority for Television and Radio. The suspension effectively maintained existing broadcasting licenses and content commitments for Channels 12 and 13, preserving ethical and content regulations against incitement and inappropriate material.

The law's provisions would have allowed HOT, yes, i24NEWS, and other entities outside the Second Authority's supervision to air paid political campaign advertisements on cable and satellite without regulatory oversight. The Supreme Court's decision represents a significant check on legislative efforts to deregulate and consolidate media ownership in Israel, pending further judicial review.