Israeli Supreme Court Freezes Key Provisions of Media Weakening Law

The Israeli Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction on July 19, 2026, halting the immediate implementation of several controversial provisions in the media weakening law proposed by MK Kerei. The frozen sections included allowing HOT and yes (Bezeq) to broadcast advertisements on cable and satellite, lifting cross-ownership restrictions to permit these companies to own news channels, and expanding the i24NEWS channel's audience on HOT without a broadcast license. The injunction also suspended the immediate cancellation of structural separation between news companies and broadcasting entities, which critics argued exposed newsrooms to foreign-political and business interests of channel owners. Additionally, the court froze the removal of mandatory news investment requirements, the obligation for News 14 and i24NEWS to relocate to Jerusalem, and effectively the revocation of regular broadcast licenses that would reduce content and ethical standards enforcement. These changes would have allowed HOT, yes, i24NEWS, and other unregulated entities to air paid election propaganda advertisements without regulatory oversight, unlike channels under the Second Authority's supervision. The Supreme Court's decision blocks these deregulations pending further review, maintaining current media oversight and protections.