Opposition of Fundamentalist Jews in Netanyahu's Government to the Law Prohibiting the Broadcast of Azan from Loudspeakers

A swift action by a fundamentalist Jewish minister in the Israeli government has prevented the passage of a law that was set to ban the broadcast of the azan from mosques in the country. According to Israeli media, Rabbi Yaakov Litzman, the Minister of Health and a representative of the ultra-Orthodox party 'Torah Judaism' in the government coalition, thwarted the draft bill prohibiting the broadcast of the azan from mosque loudspeakers. Simultaneously, Rabbi Aryeh Deri, the Secretary-General of the religious party 'Shas' and Minister of the Interior, told Israeli media that his party has many Arab supporters due to social programs and assistance for the weak, and opposes the bill due to its Muslim voters. The Israeli government's ministerial committee approved the draft bill to ban the azan broadcast during a meeting on Sunday, November 23, with the support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The draft bill was presented by the far-right 'Jewish Home' party, which supports settlements in the occupied territories, with the backing of several ministers from coalition parties. Netanyahu stated, 'In the 21st century, there are more modern ways to call Muslims to prayer.' According to Netanyahu, many complaints have been received over the years, especially from Jewish citizens of Jerusalem, regarding the 'harassment' caused by the loud azan. Reports indicate that Rabbi Litzman, one day before the bill was to be voted on in the Knesset, used his ministerial powers to file a 'complaint' against it to the ministerial committee. A minister's 'complaint' against a draft bill in the ministerial committee renders it unsuccessful and forces the government to further review the bill. Arab representatives in the Knesset praised Rabbi Litzman's action that thwarted the 'anti-azan' bill, calling it 'a good cooperation' between Jewish religious figures and Muslims. Rabbi Litzman stated that if the bill becomes law, it may affect the broadcast of the announcement of 'Shabbat,' which is also broadcast from Jewish institutions for Orthodox Jews. 'Shabbat' is the Jewish Saturday, which lasts from Friday evening until Saturday evening, during which observant Jews are subject to many restrictions. Every Friday evening in neighborhoods where fundamentalist Jews live and other traditional areas in Jerusalem and other parts of Israel, the announcement of the beginning of 'Shabbat' is broadcast via loudspeakers. According to Israeli media, Ayman Odeh, the leader of the Joint Arab List in the Knesset, said, 'Rabbi Litzman's action to prevent oppression of the weak is commendable.' According to Wynet, Mr. Odeh stated that some Israeli extremists are 'not bothered by the sound of the azan from loudspeakers, but by the broadcast of Arabic sounds in the air.' Palestinians had previously warned Israel about the 'serious consequences' of passing such a law. Ahmad Tibi, an Arab Knesset member, stated that if the ministerial committee's resolution becomes law, Muslims should rebel, and he himself gave the azan from the Knesset loudspeaker in protest against this resolution on Tuesday. The Palestinian Minister of Religious Affairs also stated on Tuesday that Israel should understand that with this resolution, it has declared a 'war on religion.' Extremely religious Jewish parties in Israel have previously cooperated with Arab and Islamic parties on issues such as preventing military service for youth and restrictions on circumcision to maintain the status quo and prevent the passage of new laws they oppose.