Israeli bill to restrict call to prayer passes preliminary parliament reading

An Israeli bill restricting mosque loudspeakers for the Islamic call to prayer passed preliminary parliament reading Wednesday by a vote of 50-36. The legislation, introduced by Zvika Fogel of National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's party, would require mosques to obtain permits based on noise levels and proximity to residential areas, with violations carrying fines up to 50,000 shekels. Palestinian officials and human rights lawyers condemned the measure as religious persecution and a threat to freedom of worship.

The bill must now proceed through committee review and two additional parliamentary readings before becoming law. Supporters argue the restrictions address public health noise concerns, while critics contend the legislation stigmatizes a core Islamic religious practice and forms part of a broader effort to remove Palestinian and Arab cultural symbols from public space. The Palestinian Authority's Jerusalem Governorate warned the law could affect Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem.