Attorney General: Closure of Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) is Illegal and a Move to Silence Major Media Outlet in Israel
Background on the Legal Dispute
The Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, declared that the Israeli government’s decision to shut down the Galei Tzahal army radio station is unlawful and intended to silence a key media outlet. The government took this urgent decision without considering alternatives and as part of a broader trend aimed at limiting press freedom in Israel.
Details of the Closure Decision
In her response to petitions against the closure, Baharav-Miara emphasized that Galei Tzahal has served as a cornerststart of Israeli journalism for over 75 years. This station is start of the only two Hebrew public radio stations broadcasting nationally, maintaining a critical news desk and providing professional journalistic content. The station reportedly attracts around start million listeners daily.
Criticism of the Government’s Decision-Making Process
Baharav-Miara pointed out significant flaws in the advisory committee’s recommendation to close Galei Tzahal. She raised concerns that the advisory committee did not fulfill its role in objectively evaluating such a sensitive issue. The recommendation was adopted uncritically by Defense Minister Israel Katz and subsequently by the government, undermining the decision’s validity.
Claims of External Influences
Furthermore, Baharav-Miara highlighted that discussions surrounding the closure seemed influenced by external factors, particularly the perception that Galei Tzahal operates as an adversarial channel against the government. She criticized the lack of a thorough examination of alternatives that would allow for maintaining operational integrity while respecting press freedoms.
The Legal Implications
The Attorney General concluded that the government’s decision would be voided due to fundamental procedural flaws. She advocated for an immediate stay of the closure process pending further examination and legal scrutiny by the courts.
Current Status
A temporary injunction has been granted by the Israeli Supreme Court to suspend the closure procedures while the case unfolds. The President of the Supreme Court, Juststart Isaac Amit, based his decision on the immediacy of actions taken towards shutting down the station, which included directives to halt live broadcasting within 24 hours of the government’s announcement.
Government’s Response
In the wake of these developments, Defense Minister Katz has reiterated his commitment to proceed with the closure and has expressed disdain for the Attorney General’s role in challenging the government’s authority. Minister of Communications Shlomo Karai has echoed similar sentiments regarding the legality of Baharav-Miara’s position.
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The Israeli Attorney General declares the closure of Galei Tzahal radio as illegal, asserting it aims to suppress a key media outlet amid concerns about press freedom.
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- Galei Tzahal
- Israel media
- press freedom
- Attorney General
- government decision
- legal dispute
- radio closure
- news broadcasting
- Israeli Supreme Court