Shas has reportedly decided to vote against Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi's broadcast law, following United Torah Judaism's earlier announcement. The development means the coalition's two Haredi parties are united in opposition, dealing a blow to the bill's passage.
At 17:25 Jerusalem, Shas has formally decided to vote against Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi's broadcast law, according to reports. The decision unites the coalition's two Haredi parties in opposition, following United Torah Judaism's earlier confirmation that it would vote against the bill.
The day's developments began at 10:13 Jerusalem, when Shas announced it could not support the law as drafted, citing the absence of amendments demanded by its rabbis on Shabbat protection and a 'pornography' clause (The Zioneer, 10:13). At that time, Shas proposed splitting the bill to allow only the regulatory-relief sections for new channels, including Channel 14, to advance — a proposal it said it would support. The coalition did not adopt the split. At 13:23 Jerusalem, UTJ leaders Yitzhak Goldknopf and Moshe Gafni confirmed their faction's unified opposition to the bill (The Zioneer, 13:23).
The broadcast law, aimed at restructuring Israel's media landscape, now faces a critical obstacle. As The Zioneer reported earlier Monday, Shas's earlier refusal to back the law already signaled trouble for the coalition's legislative agenda.
It remains unclear whether the coalition will attempt to renegotiate the bill or abandon it. The government's ability to advance the legislation now appears to be blocked without the support of both Haredi parties.
5 developments
- StrongGoldknopf and Gafni both say UTJ will vote against broadcast law
- DevelopingExposed recordings: Shas rabbis issue harsh criticism of Minister Karhi, call broadcast reform 'absolute prohibition'
- DevelopingKara opens debate on media law, opposition objects
- DevelopingShas senior hits back at UTJ: accusations false, harmful to Torah world
Source and signal
- Internal intake