The Israeli Government Unanimously Decides to Shut Down the Army Radio

SadaNews - The Israeli government unanimously approved today, Monday, the closure of the Israeli Army Radio. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the decision by stating that "a military radio broadcasting with the army's permission exists in North Korea and several other countries, and we certainly do not want to be counted among them."

Netanyahu added that "there are recurring proposals to abolish the army radio or privatize it, and I am open to all these proposals and believe in competition. It is time for that."

Israel Katz, Minister of Defense, who proposed the radio's closure, said that "the existence of a radio station serving all citizens of the state in Israel is an anomaly not found in democratic countries. This anomaly causes a significant difficulty for the Israeli army stemming from the army's unwarranted involvement in political discourse."

Katz considered that "the station's engagement with political content harms the army, its soldiers, and its unity. When the Israeli government decided to establish a military broadcasting station, the goal was to serve as a voice and ear for Israeli soldiers and their families, but over the years, the station has transformed into a platform where many opinions are raised that often attack the Israeli army and its soldiers, broadcasting political content that is provocative and discordant, not aligned with the values of the Israeli army."

Katz claimed that "throughout the war in the last two years, many soldiers and citizens, including family members of those killed, have frequently complained that they feel the station does not represent them and even undermines war efforts and morale. More dangerously, our enemies interpret these messages as being transmitted by the Israeli army."

According to him, the Israeli Army Radio was established under a state of emergency in 1950, intended to last one year, "and security ministers and army chiefs of staff over the years have pointed out the moral and structural difficulty of using a political media outlet within the army."

He added that "after October 7, these difficulties increased further. Therefore, an advisory committee was appointed to reconsider the operation of the station, which recommended two options: closing the news department or shutting down the entire station. The committee explained that the first option comes with significant implementation and legal difficulties. After a serious and in-depth examination, they decided that the appropriate and correct option is to close the station."

For her part, the government's legal advisor, Gali Baharav-Miara, described the decision to close the radio as "part of a comprehensive process targeting public broadcasting in Israel and restricting freedom of expression. The decision is not supported by facts or professionalism as required and raises suspicion that it is tainted by dishonest considerations, and pushing the decision contradicts the law."

The journalists' organization announced that the decision "constitutes a severe and prohibited violation of freedom of expression and freedom of the press. This is an unreasonable and disproportionate decision that affects the foundations of democracy and the rule of law in general, and the government has no authority to take any actions regarding the station's programs; this issue falls solely within the responsibility of the Knesset, as the news programs on the Israeli Army Radio are an integral part of public broadcasting as stipulated by the Broadcasting Authority Law and the Supreme Court's decision."

Katz requested the Chief of Staff of the Israeli army, Eyal Zamir, to begin immediate procedures to halt the operation of the radio, stop the appointments of all regular and reserve soldiers in the Israeli Army Radio unit, and complete all these procedures by February 15, with complete closure of the radio by March 1.