Israel's Supreme Court Freezes Broadcast Law Amid Legal Challenges

Israel's Supreme Court has ordered a freeze on the implementation of the Broadcast Law, initiated by Communications Minister Shlomo Karai. The decision came just two days after the 26th Knesset elections and halts the law's effect, despite its prior approval by the Knesset in July 2026 with a majority of 53 to 48. The law, intended to reshape the Israeli television market, had already seen some provisions frozen in July due to numerous petitions against it. The court has now extended the freeze to the entire law and has demanded the government explain why it should not be canceled due to alleged procedural flaws in its legislative process.

One potential casualty of this freeze is the news network i24NEWS, owned by businessman Patrick Drahi, who also controls HOT. Currently broadcasting on channel 15, i24NEWS's Hebrew content is primarily accessible via internet-based TV services. The Broadcast Law would have allowed it to reach traditional cable and satellite subscribers of HOT and yes, significantly expanding its potential audience. Additionally, the law offers advertising concessions that could substantially boost its revenue. In its response to the Supreme Court, i24NEWS warned that the freeze could result in tens of millions of shekels in damages and jeopardize its future operations.

Conversely, Channel 12 News, one of the petitioners against the law, fears a blow to journalistic independence. The law seeks to ease the current legal and organizational separation between news companies and the commercial entities operating the channels, allowing newsrooms to function within the same company that runs the channel. Channel 12 News is concerned this change could enable channel owners to exert commercial and political pressure on journalists. The petition included a statement from Channel 12 News CEO Avi Weiss, who claimed that in a 2023 conversation, Minister Karai discussed changes that would allow the Prime Minister to influence broadcast content through channel owners.

The Ministry of Communications' core idea behind the law is to foster competition by allowing more entities to vie for viewers and advertising without complex and costly licensing procedures. It aims to reduce disparities between internet-based broadcasting rules and those for cable and satellite, ease the entry of new channels, and expand advertising options for companies like HOT and yes. The law also modifies broadcast oversight and establishes a new regulatory authority. Minister Karai asserts this will encourage competition and offer the public more diverse viewing options. However, opponents worry that removing restrictions will empower wealthy individuals who own multiple media outlets.

The Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, supports the freeze, citing serious flaws in the legislative process, including insufficient legal preparation, limited Knesset member participation, and Minister Karai's excessive control over the committee's work. She argues the changes could harm press freedom and lead to irreversible outcomes. Minister Karai, however, rejects these claims, stating the court is overstepping into the Knesset's legislative authority.

The Supreme Court has issued a conditional order requiring the government, Knesset, and other respondents to justify why the law should not be canceled entirely. Their responses are due by January 7, 2027, with a hearing before an expanded panel of nine justices. The court will first examine the legality of the law's approval process before potentially addressing substantive claims about its clauses. Until a final decision, the Broadcast Law's implementation remains frozen, shifting the battle over the future of Israeli television from the Knesset to the courtroom.