The Israel Broadcast Authority has objected to the name chosen by the unified National Union-National Religious Party, “HaBayit HaYehudi.” HaBayit HaYehudi (The Jewish Home) is the name of a television program on Judaism and news from the Jewish world broadcast on Channel 1, officials say.
The Jewish Home television program has approximately 80,000 viewers, representing roughly three percent of the television audience during the show's time slot.
IBA Director-General Mordechai Sklar sent a letter to the party asking that its new name be changed in order to avoid misleading the public. The current name could lead people to think that the party is connected to the TV show, he said.
If the new party is linked to the TV show, the IBA's credibility could take a hit, Sklar said. Sklar quoted a clause in the elections law saying, “No party shall be registered under a name that is likely to mislead the public or to offend public norms or sensitivities.”
The party's name could also present a problem due to the chance that viewers of the Channel 1 program who believe it is associated with the nationalist party of the same name could support the party, he said. Such an effect would constitute illegal campaign propaganda, he said.
If the new party does not change its name willingly, the IBA will consider legal action, Sklar concluded.
Representatives from the nationalist party HaBayit HaYehudi rejected Sklar's objections, and said the phrase, “The Jewish Home” is part of Jewish culture. “The concept of the Jewish home belongs to the Jewish people and not to the Broadcasting Authority,” they said.
The IBA should be grateful for the new name, one party source added, because now the public is aware that there is a program called “The Jewish Home” on Channel 1.