Israel advances bill to muffle mosque loudspeakers

The measure has drawn criticism from Arab lawmakers, who say it “unfairly” targets the country's Muslim minority

A drone view of the main stage in Wohl Rose Park and the Knesset, Israel's parliament, during Jerusalem's Pride and Tolerance March under the slogan "Demanding Change", in Jerusalem, Jun 4, 2026. REUTERS/Ilan Rosenberg

Israel’s parliament has advanced a bill that would tighten restrictions on mosque loudspeakers, drawing sharp criticism from Arab lawmakers who say it “unfairly” singles out the country’s Muslim minority.

The Knesset voted on Wednesday to pass the bill in a preliminary reading by 50-36, according to The Times of Israel.

The proposal, brought by far-right lawmaker Zvika Fogel of the Otzma Yehudit party, would require mosques to secure permits to operate loudspeaker systems.

It would also authorise police to enter mosque premises to stop violations and impose administrative fines.

Muazzins use loudspeakers to deliver the call to prayer five times a day, including the pre-dawn Fajr prayer.

Fogel told parliament the measure was not political, saying noise laws should be enforced equally against all places of worship, businesses and event halls, the Israeli outlet said.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir welcomed the proposal, saying "governance begins with noise" and claiming residents of Arab communities were also affected by loudspeaker broadcasts.

Arab lawmakers rejected that argument, accusing Ben Gvir of targeting a religious minority instead of addressing rising violent crime in Arab communities after three people were killed in separate incidents on the same day.

Another alliance lawmaker, Ofer Cassif, said the move was an attempt to silence Israel’s Muslim community.

The vote came after the ultra-Orthodox Shas party decided to back the bill, despite earlier reports suggesting it would oppose it under an understanding with Arab lawmakers, The Times of Israel said.

Ben Gvir has long sought to curb mosque loudspeakers.

In late 2024, he instructed police to confiscate loudspeakers from mosques and issue fines over noise complaints, but the directive was not enforced following opposition from Arab and Muslim leaders as well as the Shas and United Torah Judaism parties, it added.

Efforts to limit mosque loudspeakers have been championed by right-wing politicians and activists for years.

Jewish residents in East Jerusalem and other parts of Israel have long complained about what they describe as “excessive noise” from mosque broadcasts.

Arabs make up about 20 percent of Israel's population, most of them Muslims, making the calls to prayer a familiar part of daily life in many parts of the country.