Court ruling9/1/2026

High Court of Justice Temporarily Halted Shlomo Karhi’s Regional Radio Reform

The High Court of Justice issued an order nisi against implementing Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi’s decision to expand the broadcast area of several regional radio stations. This is interim relief: no final ruling has yet been made on the legality of the reform.

Key facts

•Court: High Court of Justice
•Case number: Not specified in the original source
•Parties’ responses — by October 4
•Five regional radio stations are affected
•Legal basis for the directives — Communications Law
•No final ruling on the reform has yet been made

What the Court Decided

The High Court of Justice temporarily halted implementation of the directives allowing several regional stations to expand their broadcasts to northern Israel. The court instructed the parties to the proceeding, including Minister Karhi, to submit their responses by October 4. The case number and the exact date of the court’s decision were not specified in the original source.

Which Stations Are Affected

Approval in principle to expand broadcasts was granted to the Haredi stations “Kol Chai” and “Kol Barama,” as well as “A-Shams,” “Radio Nas,” and “Radio Lev Hamedina — Pervaya.” The minister explained the decision by citing the operational need to transmit alerts and advance instructions, including to the Haredi public that uses “kosher” devices.

On What Basis the Minister Acted

The directives were issued in May under special emergency powers pursuant to the Communications Law. These powers make it possible to require communications providers to act based on state security considerations. The minister’s representatives argued that under wartime conditions, expanding broadcasts was intended to save lives in both the Jewish and Arab sectors.

Why the Reform Is Being Challenged

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara told the High Court of Justice that this was not a genuine emergency measure, but rather a voluntary initiative by the stations themselves, which are interested in entering new commercial markets. In her view, the decision grants private broadcasters a significant economic and regulatory advantage without a tender, during an election period. She also noted that the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation “Kan” is prepared to transmit the required messages through the “Kan Moreshet” station, and therefore the claimed need is disputed.

What this means for you

As long as the interim decision remains in force, the expansion of the broadcast areas established by the reform may not be implemented. For listeners, this means that the availability of the listed stations in northern Israel will not change for the time being under the disputed directives. The reform’s future course will depend on the parties’ responses and the High Court of Justice’s next decision.

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