Israeli Supreme Court Overturns Government Decision to Shut Down Army Radio Station Galatz

The Israeli Supreme Court, sitting as the High Court of Justice, unanimously annulled the government’s decision to close the military radio station Galatz. The ruling, delivered by Justice Yitzhak Kasher with the agreement of Justices Barak-Erez and Stein, found that the closure decision was based on improper and irrelevant considerations, specifically the government’s dissatisfaction with the station’s broadcasts, which they felt opposed their views. The court accepted the factual evidence supporting this claim and noted that the government failed to prove otherwise after a conditional injunction was issued.

The justices emphasized that while the government had the authority to decide on Galatz’s fate, the decision must be lawful and based on legitimate reasons. They rejected the argument that shutting down Galatz required primary legislation. Each justice clarified that they do not oppose the possibility of closing Galatz if done legally and for valid reasons, and they refrained from commenting on the content of the broadcasts.

In his concluding remarks, Justice Kasher stressed that it is unacceptable for a government authority to silence a broadcaster simply because their opinions are unwelcome. He stated, "A government that acts to 'turn off the microphone' of a broadcaster whose words it dislikes operates in a blatantly undemocratic manner, undermining the fundamental democratic principle that the government must not use its power to silence dissenting voices."