Israeli Parliament Extends Broadcaster Closure Powers as Cabinet Moves to Shut Army Radio

In a series of moves described by civil rights groups as a “broader and worrying pattern of harm to democracy,” the Israeli Knesset has significantly expanded the government’s authority to shutter foreign media outlets, while the Cabinet simultaneously approved the closure of the long-standing Army Radio (GLZ).

Expansion of the “Al Jazeera Law”

In a 22-10 vote, the Knesset passed legislation extending and expanding temporary wartime powers that allow the government to cease the operations of foreign broadcasters deemed a threat to national security.

Crucially, the new law:

• Removes the requirement for a court order prior to closure.
• Extends the government’s authority for the next two years, including during peace time.
• Broadens the scope beyond the initial temporary order used to block Al Jazeera in May 2024.

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) warned that these powers violate “freedom of expression, the right to information, and freedom of the press,” effectively blocking residents from accessing information that diverges from the official national narrative.

The Dissolution of Army Radio (Galei Tzahal)

Parallel to the legislative changes, the Israeli Cabinet approved a plan proposed by Defense Minister Israel Katz to shut down Army Radio by March 1, 2026. Despite being operated by the IDF, the station has maintained a reputation for editorial independence for decades.

Defense Minister Katz argued the station “broadcasts political and divisive content” inconsistent with IDF values. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported the move, suggesting that military-run broadcasting is a practice associated with “North Korea” and should not be a feature of Israeli society.

Outcry from Media and Civil Society

The Union of Journalists and Journalists’ Organisations announced immediate plans to petition the High Court of Justice, labeling the Cabinet’s decision “a severe and unlawful infringement on freedom of expression.”

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The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) emphasized that Army Radio accounts for approximately half of Israel’s independent public radio news broadcasts. “The decision to shut down a public media organisation is not an isolated move,” the IDI stated. “It is part of a broader and worrying pattern of ongoing harm to Israeli democracy.”

Critics contend that the dual pressure on both foreign correspondents and internal independent broadcasters represents a significant shift in the Israeli media landscape, reducing the variety of information available to the public.

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