Shas Condemns Supreme Court President Itzhak Amit for Controversial Remarks on Haredi 'Kosher Phones'

The Shas party sharply criticized Supreme Court President Itzhak Amit following his comments during a High Court hearing on a petition against the expansion of regional radio broadcasts. Amit questioned the claim that holders of kosher phones, commonly used by the Haredi community, require specific radio stations to receive emergency information. He also described those who would not listen to the Heritage Channel even in life-threatening situations as "really strange people." Shas condemned Amit's remarks as "arrogant and disconnected from a large public," emphasizing their commitment to protecting the Haredi community's right to live according to their beliefs.

The controversy arose during a hearing on a petition filed by Lobby 99 and the Tzlacha Association challenging Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi's emergency authority decision to expand regional radio broadcasts beyond their usual areas. The expansion was justified as necessary to ensure emergency alerts reach populations without access to other communication means. Amit expressed skepticism about the need for continued broadcast expansion given the current "green" emergency status and questioned the assumption that about 10,000 people rely solely on kosher phones without other communication devices.

Amit noted that many Haredim carry two phones: a kosher phone and a more advanced smartphone, implying that the justification for the broadcast expansion might be overstated. Shas linked Amit's comments to the broader struggle over kosher phone usage and vowed to continue defending the community's lifestyle. The party stated, "Shas is proud to lead the law preserving the kosher status and will continue to protect every community's right to live according to their faith." The hearing remains part of an ongoing legal and political debate over media access and religious accommodations in Israel.