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Shlomo Karhi

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi attends the Special Committee for the Communications Law at the Knesset, April 28, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
After backlash, Karhi drops bid to grant Netanyahu additional power over media before election
By Ariela Karmel
Opposition MKs decry last-minute amendment to controversial broadcast overhaul bill, which one quips 'suddenly appeared in the middle of the night'; comms minister mocks 'clowns'
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi attends the Special Committee for the Communications Law at the Knesset, April 28, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 11, 2026, 10:47 pm
After backlash, Karhi drops bid to grant Netanyahu additional power over media before election
Opposition MKs decry last-minute amendment to controversial broadcast overhaul bill, which one quips ‘suddenly appeared in the middle of the night’; comms minister mocks ‘clowns’
By Ariela Karmel
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi attends the Special Committee for the Communications Law at the Knesset, April 28, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
May 13, 2026, 7:21 pm
High Court annuls Karhi’s decision to fire key public broadcaster official
Communication minister dismissed Kan search panel chief for adopting AG legal guidance; Judge: ‘Regrettable that getting legal advice these days is seen as grounds for dismissal’
By Jeremy Sharon
MK Galit Distel-Atbaryan leads the Special Committee for the Communications Law at the Knesset, March 15, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
April 15, 2026, 8:06 pm
Knesset legal adviser blasts media bill’s legislative process, urges committee change
Sagit Afik says proceedings at special panel don’t meet basic requirements, demands return to economics committee, after clash in which legal advisers were silenced
By Ariela Karmel
The main headquarters in Jerusalem of the Israel Public Broadcasting Corporation, known as Kan, seen on January 31, 2023. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
March 26, 2026, 7:03 pm
Unable to shut down Kan, coalition maneuvers to control public broadcaster’s budget
Bill removing legal safeguards that are meant to shield outlet from political pressure is moved to Knesset committee headed by Netanyahu loyalist, in crusade to dismantle outlet
By Ariela Karmel
US President Donald Trump, right, speaks to reporters as he greets Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the president's Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, on December 29, 2025. (AP/Alex Brandon)
March 24, 2026, 12:00 am
Critics decry ‘foreign intervention’ after PM said to alter media bill at Trump’s behest
Minister says Netanyahu cut requirement for streaming services to fund Israeli productions, bypassing Knesset, in move seen as unprecedented outside meddling in legislative process
By Ariela Karmel
An Israeli soldier serving at Army Radio holds a microphone in Jerusalem, December 22, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
February 2, 2026, 1:34 pm
Supreme Court freezes closure of Army Radio, says government must justify position
Conditional order gives government until March 15 to explain decision to shut the station; ministers again call to defy the courts
By ToI Staff
Supreme Court Justice Daphne Barak-Erez presides over a hearing on petitions against the government’s decision to shut down Army Radio, January 28, 2026. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
January 28, 2026, 9:54 pm
In hearing over Army Radio closure, High Court challenges both sides’ claims
Justices rap ministers’ premature support for shuttering station, while skeptical of claim government lacks authority for move: ‘The agency that established it is the agency that can close it’
By Jeremy Sharon
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi attends the Special Committee for the Communications Law at the Knesset, December 16, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90)
December 23, 2025, 4:34 pm
Knesset extends authorities’ power to ban broadcasts deemed harmful to security
Law, now in effect until 2027, enables shuttering of outlets, seizure of equipment, and blocking of satellite transmissions in Israel and the West Bank
By AFP and ToI Staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the 40 signatures debate in the Knesset on December 8, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
December 10, 2025, 2:02 pm
Daily Briefing Dec. 10: Day 796 – Knesset debate on Haredi draft bares PM’s closed-door efforts to pass bill
Deputy diplomatic reporter Nava Freiberg on PM’s upcoming US trip and his defense of Israel’s global standing; political correspondent Ariela Karmel brings us the latest on media overhaul bill
By Jessica Steinberg, Nava Freiberg and Ariela Karmel
MK Galit Distel Atbaryan leads the Special Committee for the Communications Law at the Knesset, December 8, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
December 8, 2025, 9:35 pm
Panel chair assails press as special Knesset committee takes up media oversight bill
Netanyahu loyalist accuses outlets of persecuting PM in opening discussion on Karhi bill that critics say will stifle free speech and give authorities wide say in what is reported
By Ariela Karmel
The broadcast studio of Kan, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, in Jerusalem, January 31, 2023. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)
December 5, 2025, 1:58 pm
The next threat to Israel at Eurovision is coming from inside the house
As many Israelis celebrate the EBU decision allowing them to stay in the contest, coalition lawmakers are pushing public broadcasting reforms that would render Israel ineligible
By Amy Spiro
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi in the Knesset in Jerusalem, November 26, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
December 1, 2025, 10:29 pm
Knesset votes to form special panel to fast-track contentious media oversight bill
Lawmakers vote 59-51 to establish ad hoc committee, bypassing Likud MK David Bitan’s Economics Committee, in defiance of Knesset legal adviser and AG
By Ariela Karmel
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi attends a Knesset plenum session in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
November 30, 2025, 11:55 am
Coalition prepares to set up special panel to advance stormy media regulation bill
Likud MK David Bitan, who heads Knesset body that would usually consider bill, slams special committee as ‘cheapening’ democracy; bill would increase government control over press
By Charlie Summers and ToI Staff
Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman attends a rally in Jerusalem for the re-establishment of Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip, on February 27, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
November 24, 2025, 7:39 pm
More Likud ministers join panel to define mandate of coalition’s controversial Oct. 7 probe
Families of October 7 victims denounce government committee as a ‘cover-up,’ slamming ministers who oppose an independent inquiry into the Hamas-led atrocities
By Ariela Karmel
Radio broadcasters seen in the offices of Army Radio, the national IDF radio station, in Jaffa, March 27, 2014. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash 90)
November 12, 2025, 4:32 pm
Moving to shut Army Radio, Katz declares war on an unlikely pillar of independent media
Planned closure of iconic military station marks latest in series of government efforts to reshape Israel’s news landscape, raising fears of shrinking press freedom
By Stav Levaton and ToI Staff
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