Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

kosher phones

ILLUSTRATIVE: A man holds up his cellular phone certificating that it is 'kosher' at the entrance to an ultra-Orthodox school in Jerusalem on May 6, 2020. (Nati Shohat/ Flash90)
July 2, 2025, 8:45 pm
Minister says IDF neglects Haredim, Bedouins by relying on modern tech for missile alerts
Likud’s Shlomo Karhi tells State Comptroller that ultra-Orthodox and Negev communities are less likely to receive alerts, says IDF ‘irresponsible’ for not expanding alert system
By Sam Sokol and ToI Staff
Illustrative: A 'kosher' phone in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim, in Jerusalem, February 11, 2024. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
July 25, 2024, 10:36 am
MKs pass law cementing Haredi control over community’s censored ‘kosher’ phones
Controversial bill undoes 2022 reform that gave ultra-Orthodox full carrier mobility; Deri: ‘For the first time, the law recognizes the public’s right to kosher communication’
By Sam Sokol and Canaan Lidor
Illustrative: A woman walks next to an advertisement for Golan Telecom in Jerusalem, November 5, 2015. (Lior Mizrahi/Flash90)
July 23, 2024, 11:25 am
Kosher cellphone bill sparks debate on Haredi consumer freedoms vs communal coercion
New legislation would reinforce phone plans that are under rabbinical censorship, raising questions about internal societal pressures and control
By Canaan Lidor
Protesters riot outside Ramle Prison, May 4, 2023. (Israel Prison Service)
May 5, 2023, 1:40 pm
Haredi protesters riot outside jail to support alleged arsonist of cellphone store
Though Yehoshua Dadon is being held elsewhere, demonstrators throw rocks as they try to break into Ramle Prison, injuring 4 guards and damaging entrance
By Michael Horovitz
Police clash with ultra-Orthodox Jews protesting against a cellphone shop in Jerusalem's Geula neighborhood on January 16, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 17, 2023, 1:13 am
Fresh clashes between Haredi protesters, police outside Jerusalem cellphone shop
Law enforcement accuses protesters of ‘cynically using little kids on the front line’ during latest demonstration against phones with internet access
By ToI Staff
Police guard while Haredi men protest against a cellular shop in Jerusalem's Geula neighborhood, on January 15, 2023 (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 16, 2023, 2:01 am
Haredi protesters clash with police outside Jerusalem cellphone store
Demonstrators rage against sale of devices that can access the internet; Ben Gvir orders police to probe treatment of protesters
By ToI Staff
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi at the Knesset on January 2, 2023. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 3, 2023, 5:38 am
Communications minister dials back ‘kosher phone’ reforms opposed by ultra-Orthodox
After meeting with Haredi faction heads, Likud’s Karhi scraps moves aimed at integrating internet-less phones into wider telecoms market, delays plan to phase out 2G, 3G service
By ToI Staff
A 'kosher' phone in Jerusalem, January 27, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
December 27, 2022, 9:30 am
UTJ deal set to reverse phase out of 2G, 3G networks; officials slam retrograde step
Coalition agreement meant to protect operability of so-called kosher phones that run on older networks; Communications Ministry official says move will set Israel back years
By ToI Staff
Yehoshua Dadon seen following a hearing at the Jerusalem Magistrate's Court, days before being indicted over a fire that destroyed a cell phone store in the Geula neighborhood in Jerusalem, December 18, 2022. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
December 23, 2022, 4:00 pm
Haredi man whose arrest sparked riot indicted for arson of Jerusalem cellphone store
Yehoshua Dadon also charged with extortion by threats and obstruction of justice over torching of shop that sells ‘non-kosher’ phones
By ToI Staff
William Zev Steen. (Screenshot/YouTube, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
November 18, 2022, 6:07 pm
US Jewish school teacher charged for 25 sex crimes including rape, child pornography
Baltimore science instructor William Zev Steen arrested for multiple alleged crimes dating back as far as 2008; also led company installing filtration software on ‘kosher’ phones
By Luke Tress
View of a cellular shop that was allegedly set on fire early Sunday, in the ultra-Orthodox Geula neighborhood in Jerusalem, October 2, 2022. (Yonathan Sindel/Flash90)
October 31, 2022, 12:42 pm
Man arrested over arson attack on Jerusalem Haredi phone store
Suspect nabbed at home in Beit Shemesh; owner believes shop was torched due to his refusal to stop selling device deemed ‘non-kosher’ by some rabbis
By ToI Staff
View of a cellular shop that was allegedly set on fire early Sunday, in the ultra-Orthodox Geula neighborhood in Jerusalem, October 2, 2022. (Yonathan Sindel/Flash90)
October 3, 2022, 11:38 am
Jerusalem Haredi phone store destroyed in fire; owner claims foul play
Itzhak Deri says shop was set ablaze due to his refusal to stop selling a certain device deemed ‘non-kosher’ by some rabbis
By ToI Staff
ILLUSTRATIVE: A man holds up his cellular phone certificating that it is 'kosher' at the entrance to an ultra-Orthodox school in Jerusalem on May 6, 2020. (Nati Shohat/ Flash90)
July 19, 2022, 1:38 am
‘Kosher’ phone freedom policy changes are hard to swallow for ultra-Orthodox rabbis
New rules enabling customers to discreetly transfer their phones from a restricted device to a smart one faces opposition from Israeli religious authorities
By Eetta Prince-Gibson
Communications Minister Yoaz Hendel visits the Museum of Antiquities in Gush Etzion, December 8, 2020. (Gershon Elinson/FLASH90)
May 1, 2022, 5:11 pm
Communications minister faces Haredi backlash after easing kosher phone rules
New law will allow consumers to switch plans, choose their own level of content restriction, without rabbinic supervision, as of July 31
By ToI Staff
Load More
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.