Israel passes controversial ‘muezzin law’ limiting mosque loudspeakers

Israel’s parliament has given preliminary approval to a contentious law designed to restrict the use of public address systems in religious buildings, particularly mosques, under the guise of controlling noise pollution. The legislation, which advanced with the support of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party and the far-right Israel Beiteinu faction, marks another flashpoint in Israel’s ongoing tensions over religious practices and minority rights. Members of the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party were notably absent from the vote.

The law specifically targets the amplification of the muezzin’s call to prayer, which is traditionally broadcast from mosques five times daily. Supporters argue that the restrictions are necessary to protect neighbourhoods from excessive noise, framing it as a public health and quality-of-life issue that applies equally to all religious institutions.

Opponents of the legislation, however, contend that it is explicitly discriminatory and designed to suppress the Muslim Arab minority’s religious expression. Critics argue that the law disproportionately affects mosques whilst allowing other religious communities to continue their practices, and point to the timing and political composition of its supporters as evidence of targeted persecution. During parliamentary debate, Arab politicians including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas quoted Biblical passages to protest what they characterised as religious persecution.

The law still requires final parliamentary approval, but its passage through the preliminary stage signals its likely advancement. The measure has drawn international criticism from human rights organisations, which view it as part of a broader pattern of restrictions on Palestinian and Arab Israeli communities’ rights.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.