Ministers likely to muzzle mosque-muffling measure

Interior Minister Aryeh Deri says top ministers are opposed to the so-called muezzin bill, which would ban mosques from broadcasting the traditional call to prayer on loudspeakers, and predicts the proposal will ultimately be buried.

In an interview with the ultra-Orthodox Kikar HaShabat website, Deri says that in a meeting several weeks ago, Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, and Environmental Protection Minister Ze’ev Elkin all opposed the legislation.

“They said unequivocally — the law is unnecessary, it will cause damage,” Deri says.

According to Deri, the ministers suggested setting up a committee to cut a deal with Arab Israeli leaders to lower the volume on the prayer calls.

Should the law pass, it would fall to Elkin and Deri’s offices to both enforce it and make exceptions.

While urging dialogue with local Muslim leaders, Deri also insists that the existing noise pollution laws were sufficient to crack down on the phenomenon.

“There is no need for other legislation,” Deri says.

“If we don’t enforce [the noise pollution laws] today, when the muezzin law passes, that will be enforced?” he adds rhetorically.

The minister maintains the bill — which is backed by Netanyahu — will likely not become law.

“My assessment is that it won’t advance to other readings,” he says.

A preliminary vote on the bill was postponed on Wednesday for the third time in a month.

— Marissa Newman