Israel High Court Freezes Knesset Broadcasting Law Reform

The High Court of Justice issued a temporary injunction between July 19 and July 20, 2026, freezing immediate provisions of the Communications (Broadcasting) Law passed by the Knesset on June 16. Justice Ofer Grosskopf led the judicial panel, ruling that allowing the law's sections to enter force before a full review could create irreversible consequences. The frozen provisions include the removal of cross-ownership limits and the abolition of the mandatory structural separation between broadcasting channels and their news divisions.

Championed by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, the reform aims to streamline regulation by establishing a Broadcast Communications Authority to replace the Second Authority for Television and Radio. The new body would operate with a NIS 25 million annual budget taken from the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation. However, opposition lawmakers and civil society groups, including the Israel Democracy Institute, argue the law enables government control over the media through a new Broadcasting Regulation Council.

Minister Karhi reacted by urging the government to ignore the court, claiming the judiciary lacks the authority to suspend legislation. Other coalition members joined the criticism; Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich described the move as absolute insanity, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir referred to the judges as dictators in black robes. The court has requested responses from the government by July 26 before deciding on a broader interim injunction.