Earlier today a new law which paves the way for restoration of Arutz-7’s broadcasts received cabinet approval. The law calls for a tender to allow for the operation of national radio stations which will serve specific sectors of the population. Minister Ehud Olmert (Likud) who introduced the law said, "We are hopeful that Arutz-7 will win the bid." The decision has elicited many responses from across the political spectrum.
Most of the reactions appear to be based on misinformation from most of Israel’s media sources that indicates Arutz-7 has been granted a license to resume broadcasting. However, this is not the case.
The Yesha Council welcomed the cabinet decision but quickly added this will not buy silence in the matter of the planned uprooting of Yesha (Judea, Samaria & Gaza) communities.
MK Eitan Cabel (Labor) says he will appeal to the Supreme Court to challenge the government decision. The decision “tramples upon the law of government tenders. It is unacceptable that the government certified Arutz-7 at a time the court has convicted its personnel and is about to pass judgment. To my sorrow, there are criminals with a strong government lobby.”
MK Eli Yishai (Shas) praised the cabinet decision, calling for a similar move for the many Shas affiliated “holy stations” that broadcast without authorization around the country. Yishai called for an end to the “methodical discrimination” against Shas.
MK Haim Oron (Meretz), who in the past turned to the Supreme Court to prevent the implementation of a law passed by the Knesset to license Arutz-7, announced he may turn to the Court once again. “No legal system can tolerate granting a prize to diligent law breaking as was done by this government. The decision is the ultimate deal-making on the eve of the passing of the state budget and a portion of the deal between the government and the law breakers from the Yesha Council”.
MK Ofir Pines (Labor) said, ”The government certifies the rodent and makes a mockery of the law. The station operated illegally for seven years and the opposition will do everything possible to prevent the new law from passing the Knesset.”
Minister Effie Eitam (NRP) praised the government’s decision. “The government today arrived at a correct decision, providing an answer to hundreds of thousands of citizens and lovers of the Land and Torah of Israel, and it is better late than never at all.”
Most of the reactions appear to be based on misinformation from most of Israel’s media sources that indicates Arutz-7 has been granted a license to resume broadcasting. However, this is not the case.
The Yesha Council welcomed the cabinet decision but quickly added this will not buy silence in the matter of the planned uprooting of Yesha (Judea, Samaria & Gaza) communities.
MK Eitan Cabel (Labor) says he will appeal to the Supreme Court to challenge the government decision. The decision “tramples upon the law of government tenders. It is unacceptable that the government certified Arutz-7 at a time the court has convicted its personnel and is about to pass judgment. To my sorrow, there are criminals with a strong government lobby.”
MK Eli Yishai (Shas) praised the cabinet decision, calling for a similar move for the many Shas affiliated “holy stations” that broadcast without authorization around the country. Yishai called for an end to the “methodical discrimination” against Shas.
MK Haim Oron (Meretz), who in the past turned to the Supreme Court to prevent the implementation of a law passed by the Knesset to license Arutz-7, announced he may turn to the Court once again. “No legal system can tolerate granting a prize to diligent law breaking as was done by this government. The decision is the ultimate deal-making on the eve of the passing of the state budget and a portion of the deal between the government and the law breakers from the Yesha Council”.
MK Ofir Pines (Labor) said, ”The government certifies the rodent and makes a mockery of the law. The station operated illegally for seven years and the opposition will do everything possible to prevent the new law from passing the Knesset.”
Minister Effie Eitam (NRP) praised the government’s decision. “The government today arrived at a correct decision, providing an answer to hundreds of thousands of citizens and lovers of the Land and Torah of Israel, and it is better late than never at all.”