Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi's office announced Monday evening that he will adopt MK Avi Maoz's amendment to the media reform bill, following demands from Shas and Degel HaTorah, in order to prevent harm to religious values. Karhi urged the two Haredi parties to support the right-wing reform, calling the opposition campaign against it a smear by Channel 12.
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi's office officially confirmed Monday evening that he will adopt MK Avi Maoz's amendment to the broadcast reform bill, after earlier reports indicated he had agreed to the change. The amendment, designed to prevent harm to religious values, was demanded by Shas and Degel HaTorah. Karhi urged the two Haredi parties to back the overall right-wing reform, accusing Channel 12 of waging a 'false campaign' against the Haredim and the Right.
This confirmation caps a day of rapid developments: at 10:13 Jerusalem time, Shas and United Torah Judaism were united in opposition to the bill, with Shas citing the absence of amendments regarding Shabbat protection and a 'pornography' clause. Later Monday, Karhi signaled he would adopt the Maoz amendment, and by Monday evening his office made the commitment official. The thread shows initial reports from N12's Daphna Liel and Eli Hirshman, followed by cascading opposition declarations from both Haredi parties, before Karhi's concession emerged.
The Zioneer reported earlier Monday that Karhi had already signaled agreement to the amendment, and that coalition leaders were pressuring Shas to support the broadcast law in exchange for advancing the kashrut law. Background context also includes a legal adviser's ruling blocking Shabbat and 'porn' changes in a government app, and allegations that Knesset Speaker Ohana's associates worked to stall the bill — both denied by Ohana's office.
The broadcast reform bill, a major coalition priority, now faces final Knesset votes in the coming days. It remains uncertain whether Karhi's concession to Maoz's amendment will secure the Haredi votes needed for a majority, given UTJ's earlier unified opposition and unresolved differences over the bill's broader provisions.
7 developments
- DevelopingCommunications Minister Karhi says leftist press will not stop him, promises broadcast reform
- DevelopingMinister Karhi accuses opposition of trying to sabotage media reform by leaning on law enforcement
- DevelopingExposed recordings: Shas rabbis issue harsh criticism of Minister Karhi, call broadcast reform 'absolute prohibition'
- DevelopingDemand to Block Kari's Regulations Allegedly Tailored to Channel 14
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