WEST BANK, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), The Hamas Movement has condemned the Israeli Knesset’s preliminary approval of a bill to restrict the Muslim call to prayer (adhan) at mosques in Occupied Jerusalem and the 1948-occupied territories, describing it as a dangerous escalation against Islamic holy sites and Palestinian identity.
In a statement issued Wednesday, the Movement said the proposed legislation constitutes an attack on freedom of worship and violates international norms protecting religious practice and places of worship. Hamas said that the bill is part of a broader Israeli policy aimed at targeting Islamic holy sites and erasing the Arab and Islamic identity of Palestine.
The Movement said the continued introduction of legislation targeting Arab and Islamic symbols reflects growing extremism in Israeli policies and forms part of wider efforts to Judaize Jerusalem, particularly the Aqsa Mosque and other Islamic holy sites.
Hamas stressed that the call to prayer would remain an enduring symbol of Islam and an integral part of the identity of Occupied Jerusalem and Palestine, adding that Israeli laws would not silence the voice of the mosques or alter the history and identity of the land.
The Movement called on Palestinians, the Arab and Muslim worlds, as well as religious and human rights institutions, to intensify efforts to defend Aqsa Mosque and other Islamic holy sites, support the resilience of Palestinians in Jerusalem, oppose restrictions on freedom of worship, and expose Israeli policies in international forums.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli Knesset approved the proposed “Muezzin Bill” in a preliminary reading by 50 votes to 36.
The legislation would restrict the use of loudspeakers at places of worship, particularly mosques, on the grounds of reducing noise pollution, according to Israeli media reports.
The bill received support from members of the Yisrael Beiteinu party, led by Avigdor Lieberman, as well as lawmakers from the Shas party, prompting criticism from members of the Ra’am party.
Although it passed its preliminary reading, the bill must still pass three additional readings before becoming law.
Similar proposals have been introduced several times since 2011, including a prominent version introduced about a decade ago by lawmakers from the Jewish Home, Likud, and Yisrael Beiteinu parties.
Supporters argue that the legislation is intended to reduce excessive noise and improve the quality of life for residents living near mosques rather than restrict religious freedom. They also point to similar noise regulations in other countries.
Opponents, including Arab members of the Knesset, officials from Israel’s Justice Ministry, and opposition lawmakers, said that the bill specifically targets Arab and Muslim communities. They note that existing noise laws already address such issues, making new legislation unnecessary, and warn that the proposal could undermine equality, freedom of religion, and freedom of worship.
Critics have also affirmed that exempting Jewish places of worship from the law’s provisions could make it discriminatory.
Ra’am chairman Mansour Abbas criticized the Shas party for backing the bill, calling its decision “disappointing and shameful” and saying he had expected a religious party to uphold principles of justice and respect for others.
The vote comes amid political tensions within Israel’s governing coalition, particularly between Shas and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, over other legislative disputes.
If enacted, the bill would impose strict limits on the use of loudspeaker systems at mosques, regulate the hours during which they may operate, require special permits, and grant police broad enforcement powers, including the authority to order the immediate suspension of loudspeaker use and confiscate equipment in cases of repeated violations.
Legal experts and religious leaders have described the proposal as an attack on freedom of worship and Palestinian identity. Attorney Khaled Zabarqa said the legislation forms part of broader efforts to remove non-Jewish religious and national symbols from public life, while Fuad Abu Qumair, a member of the Islamic Endowments Committee in the Palestinian territories inside Israel, called it a discriminatory measure targeting a fundamental Islamic religious practice and warned it could deepen social tensions.
