Israeli Knesset: Bill to Restrict Loudspeaker Adhan Passes Preliminary Reading

TEL AVIV — Israel’s parliament, the Knesset, has given preliminary approval to a bill aimed at restricting the broadcast of the Islamic call to prayer (adhan) through mosque loudspeakers. According to Israeli media, the 120-member Knesset voted 50 in favor and 36 against on Wednesday.
The bill was introduced by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit party and received support from opposition leader Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu party. Under the proposed law, prior authorization from relevant authorities would be required to install or operate loudspeakers or sound systems at any mosque.
Supporters describe the bill as a noise-regulation measure, particularly targeting loud broadcasts in early morning hours, while critics and Muslim representatives argue it effectively restricts religious freedom and Islamic religious practice. Critics have dubbed it the “Muezzin Bill.”
A similar bill was previously introduced in 2016 during Benjamin Netanyahu’s tenure as prime minister but failed to become law after critics warned that applying the same noise standard could also affect the Sabbath sirens used in Jewish religious observance.
Under Israeli legislative procedure, the bill must pass three more parliamentary readings before it can become law, meaning it is not yet in effect. Its preliminary passage has reignited debate in Israel over religious freedom and the rights of minority communities.