Hamas issued a statement Wednesday evening denouncing the Knesset's preliminary approval of the muezzin bill, which would restrict mosque call-to-prayer broadcasts. The group called the move a 'severe escalation in the religious war' waged by the occupation against Islamic holy sites and identity. The legislation, sponsored by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, passed a preliminary reading earlier today.
Hamas published a statement on Wednesday evening, July 1, 2026, responding to the Knesset's preliminary approval of the muezzin bill — legislation that would toughen enforcement against excessive noise from mosque call-to-prayer broadcasts. The group characterized the parliamentary move as 'a severe escalation in the religious war that the occupation is waging against our holy sites and our Islamic identity,' and described it as a 'blatant violation of international conventions and norms that guarantee freedom of worship and the protection of houses of prayer.'
The bill, sponsored by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and the Knesset National Security Committee chair, passed a preliminary reading earlier on Wednesday. As The Zioneer reported, United Torah Judaism lawmakers boycotted the earlier vote, delaying progress on an earlier attempt. Ra'am chairman Mansour Abbas had also condemned Shas's support for the bill as 'racist and anti-religious' in a statement earlier Wednesday.
The statement from the Islamist terror group marks its first public reaction to the legislation, which has stirred significant debate within Israel's coalition and opposition alike. The preliminary reading is the first of several required steps before the bill can become law. No further Knesset votes have been scheduled.
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- Internal intake