Photo: Freepik.
Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir has instructed the police to ensure the confiscation of loudspeakers in mosques and to increase fines in cities with mixed populations and in Arab communities. The reason for this decision was numerous complaints from residents about excessive noise when loudspeakers are used to call for prayer. This was reported by the Time Ukraine Israel portal, citing Israeli Channel 7.
Minister Ben-Gvir’s official position
“I am proud to be leading the charge with my colleague, Minister of the Environment Idit Silman, to combat excessive noise in mosques. This noise interferes with the lives of Israelis. In most Western countries and even in Arab states, there are strict noise limits. But in Israel, chaos reigns. Prayer is an important right, but it should not disrupt the quality of life of other citizens. We are stopping the noise in mosques,” Ben-Gvir wrote in his official statement.
Criticism from Mansour Abbas
The reaction of the Arab community was not long in coming. The head of the RAAM party, Knesset member Mansour Abbas, accused the minister of inciting sectarian tensions.
“I call on reasonable people in the Israeli government and in the entire society to stop the provocateur of religious war, Ben-Gvir. He is trying to provoke the Muslim Arab population to respond in every way possible. His actions pose a threat to the coexistence we have built over the years,” Abbas said.
The politician also added that Ben-Gwir has failed in his policy towards the Al-Aqsa Mosque and is now transferring the conflict to other mosques in the country.
Implications for society
Ben-Gvir’s initiative has caused a wide response in society. Part of the population supports the minister’s actions, considering the fight against noise a necessary condition for a comfortable life. The other part, especially the Arab community, perceives it as an attempt to restrict religious freedoms.
The mosque scandal has become yet another test for the complex coexistence of the Jewish and Arab communities in Israel. Time will tell whether the authorities will be able to find a balance between protecting the rights of all residents of the country.
