The Knesset will be debating the so-called Mosque Loudspeaker Bill, with the coalition signaling it will back the moderate of the two versions presented.
The moderate version will prohibit using the loudspeakers during the hours of 11:00PM and 7:00AM. The other version, which is being opposed by the majority of the coalition, would outlaw all the muezzins.
MK (Bayit Yehudi) Moti Yogev’s version is the moderate one that is also backed by the chareidi parties. The second version is initiated by MK (Yisrael Beitenu) Robert Ilatov and it is backed by his party.
Originally, the loudspeakers were going to be prohibited but Shas would not back the legislation that sought to eliminate them completely. Chareidim also had fears that ruling out loudspeakers entirely would result in calls to end the erev Shabbos and Yomtov sirens in frum areas.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
Join the official YWN WhatsApp status
3 Responses
Has anyone offered a rationale as to why the Shabbos sirens should not also be included? This proliferation of noise pollution serves zero purpose on all sides now that everyone has some type of electronic device that can be programmed in seconds to provide a the needed alerts of the z’man. I’m not sure about the sirens in EY, but the ones in Brooklyn can make you deaf and go on for much longer than necessary.
@gadolhadorah – It’s not hard to understand. Bit of a difference something going off for a couple of minutes once a week and something that happens 5 times a day …. every day …. for quite a while! Really can’t see what’s so difficult. Why do politicians make things so complicated?!
#1 How can you compare Shabbos sirens LEHAVDEL with the mosques blaring ON THE LOUDEST POSSIBLE throughout the entire country 5 times DAILY, including IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT??? The Shabbos sirens LEHAVDEL is only ONCE A WEEK in the afternoon!
And for the record, most religious Jews do not have electronic devices open several minutes before the zman to alert them of the zman.