Israel introduces fines for use of loudspeakers in mosques

A view of the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, West Bank. Photo: Anadolu Agency

Israel's Ministerial Committee on Legislation has approved a bill that introduces new restrictions on the broadcasting of calls to prayer. The authorities have obligated religious communities to obtain preliminary permits for installing sound systems and empowered the police with the right to confiscate mosque equipment. This is reported by Middle East Monitor.

The legislative initiative establishes a ban on the use of loudspeakers as the default rule. Communities will be able to obtain the right to prayer calls only through a special approval process. When issuing permits, officials will consider noise levels and the proximity of the mosque to residential areas. The new regulations allow police officers to immediately interrupt broadcasts at the slightest suspicion of rule violations.

The Israeli government has provided for severe financial sanctions for non-compliance with established procedures. The fine for operating sound systems without official permission amounts to fifty thousand Israeli shekels (approximately $17,410 USD). For violating individual conditions of an already obtained permit, religious organizations face a penalty of ten thousand shekels. The bill also allows law enforcement to confiscate equipment in cases of repeated violations.

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