Second High Court hearing begins over government’s decision to shutter Army Radio

A hearing begins in the High Court of Justice over petitions asking the court to annul the government’s decision to shutter Army Radio, the second hearing on the matter following oral arguments in January this year.

Following that hearing, the High Court issued a conditional order instructing the government to justify its decision to close the venerable news outlet, especially over the manner in which the decision was made.

This order followed interim orders issued by the court in December 2025, instructing the government to freeze the closure of Army Radio until a final decision is made on the petitions.

Justices Daphne Barak Erez, Alex Stein and Yechiel Kasher are presiding over the hearing.

In December last year, the cabinet unanimously approved Defense Minister Israel Katz’s controversial proposal to shut down Army Radio by March 1, 2026. The decision was based on the recommendation of an advisory committee appointed by Katz.

Several organizations petitioned the High Court against the decision, claiming, among other arguments, that the process by which the decision was made was severely flawed and that it would also harm freedom of expression in Israel.

Claims were made in particular against the manner in which the government-appointed advisory committee was formed, in particular over the committee’s Likud-aligned composition and lack of professional journalism expertise, and the manner in which it recommended closing Army Radio.