DayofPal— Israel’s ultranationalist Otzma Yehudit party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, is advancing a new bill to impose severe restrictions on the use of loudspeakers for the Muslim call to prayer (adhan) in Occupied Territories’ mosques.
In a statement released Sunday, Otzma Yehudit said Ben-Gvir and Knesset National Security Committee chair Tzvi Succot are pushing for radical changes to enforcement and legal prosecution mechanisms.
The bill targets what the party claims “noise pollution from the adhan,” mandating a compulsory licensing system before any loudspeakers can be activated.
Under the draft law, operating sound systems in mosques without official approval would be prohibited. Permits would be issued only after reviewing criteria like sound intensity, mosque location, and impact on surrounding residential areas.
Police would gain authority to issue immediate shutdown orders for violations, seize equipment for non-compliance, and impose steep fines: 50,000 shekels ($13,500) for operating without a permit and 10,000 shekels ($2,700) for breaching permit terms. Fine revenues would fund a special confiscation account for public projects.
Unlike prior initiatives that merely limited adhan hours, this bill introduces comprehensive regulation, licensing, monitoring, and penalties, the party emphasized.
Ben-Gvir claims the loud adhan volume harms residents’ health and quality of life, equipping police with stricter enforcement tools.
The push escalates under Ben-Gvir’s tenure, amid rising incitement cases against Palestinian citizens of 1948 occupied territories.
Israeli data shows about 96% of police “incitement” files opened since he took office target Palestinians.
Ben-Gvir has previously instructed police to prevent adhan broadcasts, seize equipment, and fine violators, citing disturbances to nearby residents.
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