Erdan: No need for mosque-muffling measure

Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan suggests that the bill to silence mosques overnight is unnecessary, saying existing noise pollution laws — which are largely unenforced — would “certainly” suffice to end the calls to prayer disturbing Israel’s residents.

Erdan says “there is insufficient enforcement,” and says he’s brought up the issue with the police commissioner.

He also urges dialogue between politicians and Muslim leaders to reach agreements to lower the volume on the calls to prayer, rather than imposing the solution through legislation.

He is responding to a question by Zionist Union MK Yael Cohen-Paran.

Erdan is also asked by Likud MK Yehudah Glick about the ongoing ban on lawmakers from visiting the Temple Mount.

“Recently, there has been a change on the subject,” he says. “The Israel Police thinks the visits can resume,” with some restrictions, he says.

— Marissa Newman