Israel bans Islamic call to prayer at all mosques

Israel's far-right minister Itamar Ben Gvir, known for his inflammatory rhetoric against Palestinians, ordered a ban on the Islamic call to prayer (Azan) from all mosques, calling it “unreasonable noise” and “disturbing” to the peace of Israeli settlers.

Ben Gvir, along with fellow hardliner minister Idit Silman, instructed Israeli authorities to enforce the ban, claiming that the Adhan violates local noise regulations.

Under the new policy, police are authorised to confiscate mosque loudspeakers and impose fines on those who use them to broadcast the Azan, which lasts only two minutes.

On Saturday, Ben Gvir took to X to announce his controversial directive, stating that he is “proud” to introduce the policy.

This marks the first time a ban on the Azan has been imposed at all mosques. However, Israel had previously prohibited the Friday call to prayer at the historic Ibrahimi Mosque in the occupied West Bank.

Earlier, Ben Gvir stated that establishing Israeli settlements in Gaza and enforcing the “voluntary migration” of the Muslim population to other countries could help resolve the crisis.

The Israeli minister participated in the Flag March on June 5 in occupied Jerusalem, where he made inflammatory comments. 

“We send a message to Hamas. Jerusalem is ours. Damascus Gate is ours. The Temple Mount is ours,” he said at the march.