Israel approves closing of military radio
Israel’s cabinet has approved the closure of the country’s military radio station, dismissing objections from the attorney general, who warned that the move threatened media freedom.
Founded in 1950, Galei Tzahal is renowned for its flagship news programmes, which have been followed for decades, including by foreign correspondents. According to a government survey of audiences, it is Israel’s third most listened-to station, with a market share of 17.7 percent.
“The government unanimously approved the proposal put forward by Defence Minister Israel Katz to shut down the military radio station Galei Tsahal,” Katz’s office said in a statement, adding that the closure would take effect before March 1, 2026.
Israel’s Lapid slams cabinet decision to shut down Army Radio
Opposition leader Yair Lapid has condemned the shutdown on X, saying it “is part of the government’s effort to suppress freedom of expression in Israel during an election period”.
“They cannot control reality, so they try to control minds,” Lapid added.
As we reported earlier, Israel’s cabinet voted to shut down the popular national radio station, one in a series of measures by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition that critics see as blows to democracy.
