PA raps new draft of ‘muezzin bill’

The Palestinian Authority slams an Israeli bill prohibiting the use of loudspeakers in houses of worship overnight as an attack on religious freedom.

“[The PA] considers the bill…dangerous damage to the freedom of worship in Jerusalem, the capital of the Palestinian state,” Palestinian Authority government spokesperson Yusuf al-Mahmoud tells the official PA news outlet Wafa.

“In city of Jerusalem and in the rest of our country, Palestine, all its sons of different beliefs have lived throughout successive periods of history… with respect and harmony,” he says.

“The Arabic, cultural and religious inheritance of Jerusalem stretches into the depths of history, and in this respect, it is inconceivable that [Israel] could blow this up… by imposing a ridiculous and dangerous law that deprives anyone of the Abrahamic religions from upholding their faith, and performing their rituals and religious duties,” he adds.

He implores Arab and Muslim states and the international community to prevent Israel from enacting the law.

If the bill passes its initial reading in the Knesset, expected to take place on Wednesday, it will be sent back to committee, after which it will again come before the plenum for its second and third readings prior to becoming law. The backing by the ministerial committee gives the bill coalition support.

Violators of the proposed legislation will be fined NIS 10,000 ($2,600).

— Dov Lieber