Israel debates bill to restrict call to prayer

Israel debates bill to restrict call to prayer

The Jewish Power party, led by Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, has proposed a bill that would restrict the call to prayer in mosques. If passed, the bill would give police the authority to immediately shut down loudspeakers in mosques that violate the rules, and in repeated cases, confiscate the equipment. It also provides for hefty fines: 50,000 shekels (about $15,600) for installing or using loudspeakers without a permit, and 10,000 shekels (about $3,100) for violating the terms of a permit. Activists and human rights defenders say the initiative is part of a “Judaization policy” being pursued in Israel and the occupied territories. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir defended the bill, arguing that the call to prayer in some areas negatively affects the health and quality of life of residents. Activist Kamal al-Khatib strongly criticized the initiative, saying, "The call to prayer existed before Ben Gvir and Netanyahu, and it will continue to exist after them."

It is worth noting that this is not the first attempt to restrict the call to prayer in Israel. A similar bill was introduced in the Knesset in 2017, but was not passed.