02.12.2024 07:17
Israel has ordered the confiscation of loudspeakers in mosques
Israel's Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, a representative of far-right forces, ordered the confiscation of loudspeakers in mosques. He based his decision on complaints of "noise" that was "disturbing the Jewish population."
According to Israeli press reports, Ben-Gvir ordered the Israeli police to confiscate loudspeakers in mosques, especially in cities with mixed Jewish and Arab populations. According to him, such measures are aimed at "reducing noise pollution" from mosques.
"I am proud to lead a policy that reduces the unbearable noise of mosque loudspeakers, which is a source of discomfort for Israelis," Ben-Gvir X wrote on his social media page.
Muslim communities in Israel protested this decision, evaluating it as another act of discrimination and restriction of their religious rights. Public organizations and human rights defenders point out that such actions may violate the right to freedom of religious belief and may lead to the aggravation of inter-community conflicts.
This is not the first time that the actions of far-right ministers in the Israeli government have caused public objection. Earlier, another far-right minister, Bezalel Smotrich, announced plans to create infrastructure for the annexation of the West Bank.
At a factional meeting in the Knesset, he said:
"2025 will be the year of rule over Judea and Samaria."
These plans include preparations for the full occupation of the Palestinian territories, effectively ruling out the possibility of an independent Palestinian state. Such statements are considered by the international community as a threat to the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Access to Ibrahim Mosque is restricted
On November 22, 2024, Ben-Gvir participated in a mass visit of Israeli settlers at the Ibrahim Mosque complex in Hebron. On this day, Israeli forces closed the entrance to the shrine for Muslim believers under the pretext of celebrating Jewish holidays.
Local sources reported this:
"The synagogue was cleared of staff and members of the Muslim community so that the settlers could hold religious ceremonies."
In addition, many streets of the old city were closed, and a curfew was imposed in some areas.
Policy of discrimination and restriction of rights
Decisions made by far-right ministers in the Israeli government, including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, raise concerns about further oppression of the Palestinian population and Muslim communities in Israel.
International human rights organizations have repeatedly called on the Israeli government to abandon discriminatory practices that could worsen the situation in the region.
According to Israeli press reports, Ben-Gvir ordered the Israeli police to confiscate loudspeakers in mosques, especially in cities with mixed Jewish and Arab populations. According to him, such measures are aimed at "reducing noise pollution" from mosques.
"I am proud to lead a policy that reduces the unbearable noise of mosque loudspeakers, which is a source of discomfort for Israelis," Ben-Gvir X wrote on his social media page.
Muslim communities in Israel protested this decision, evaluating it as another act of discrimination and restriction of their religious rights. Public organizations and human rights defenders point out that such actions may violate the right to freedom of religious belief and may lead to the aggravation of inter-community conflicts.
This is not the first time that the actions of far-right ministers in the Israeli government have caused public objection. Earlier, another far-right minister, Bezalel Smotrich, announced plans to create infrastructure for the annexation of the West Bank.
At a factional meeting in the Knesset, he said:
"2025 will be the year of rule over Judea and Samaria."
These plans include preparations for the full occupation of the Palestinian territories, effectively ruling out the possibility of an independent Palestinian state. Such statements are considered by the international community as a threat to the peaceful settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Access to Ibrahim Mosque is restricted
On November 22, 2024, Ben-Gvir participated in a mass visit of Israeli settlers at the Ibrahim Mosque complex in Hebron. On this day, Israeli forces closed the entrance to the shrine for Muslim believers under the pretext of celebrating Jewish holidays.
Local sources reported this:
"The synagogue was cleared of staff and members of the Muslim community so that the settlers could hold religious ceremonies."
In addition, many streets of the old city were closed, and a curfew was imposed in some areas.
Policy of discrimination and restriction of rights
Decisions made by far-right ministers in the Israeli government, including Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, raise concerns about further oppression of the Palestinian population and Muslim communities in Israel.
International human rights organizations have repeatedly called on the Israeli government to abandon discriminatory practices that could worsen the situation in the region.
