ISRAEL’S parliament has approved a bill seeking to ban the broadcasting of the call to prayer (Azaan) on loudspeakers, according to media reports.

The Israel Hayom newspaper reported that the Knesset approved the bill on Wednesday in its preliminary reading to tighten law enforcement against what it described as “mosque noise”.

The bill passed 50-36 in the 120-member parliament, according to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper. Introduced by the Otzma Yehudit party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, the bill was backed by the Yisrael Beiteinu party of right-wing politician Avigdor Lieberman.

Rawhi Fattouh, head of the Palestinian National Council, described the move as a “crime” and a “legislative terrorism”. It is “a blatant violation of freedom of worship and belief”, Fattouh said.

The bill must pass three additional readings before becoming law.

According to Israel’s Chan­nel 14, the proposed legislation stipulates that no sound system may be installed or operated in any mosque without expl­icit prior authorisation.

Ofer Cassif, a lawmaker from the Hadash–Ta’al alliance, said Israel’s government was trying to “sile­nce” the Muslim community, arguing that the move targeting the muezzin’s call reflected racism rather than concerns about noise.

Published in Dawn, July 3rd, 2026