TEL AVIV, July 1, 2026 (WAFA) – The Knesset on Wednesday passed a bill that would limit mosque loudspeakers in a preliminary reading.

Sponsored by Knesset member Zvika Fogel from the extreme right-wing Otzma Yehudit Party, led by Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the “muezzin bill” passed its preliminary reading, receiving 50 votes in its favor and only 36 against. It still requires three more readings to come into effect.

According to Israeli media, “Mosques and other houses of worship would be barred from installing or operating a public address system without a permit. Police would be granted authority to enter premises where a violation is suspected in order to halt the use of the system, and in cases of continued violation, to confiscate the equipment entirely.”

“Operating a loudspeaker system without a permit would carry a fine of 50,000 shekels, while operating one in violation of permit conditions would bring a fine of 10,000 shekels.”

K.F.