The Knesset plenum approved the media bill proposed by Communications Minister Shlomo Kari in first reading tonight (Tuesday).
54 Knesset members voted in favor of the bill, 47 opposed it.
The proposal will now be forwarded to a Knesset committee for preparation for second and third readings.
After the proposal was approved, Minister Kari said: "The reform that has now passed is a historic revolution in freedom of opinion and consumer choice. After years of stubborn struggle, and despite the opposition of the government's legal counsel and those who seek to control the market of opinions, the power is now passing to the people.".
According to him, "The law is expected to lead to a more competitive, diverse and transparent market, while eliminating bureaucratic involvement in the content and business model, and providing a platform for all opinions in Israeli society. This is a victory for the consumer - more channels, more opinions, less money.".
The bill includes a comprehensive reform in the field of broadcasting regulation. As part of the reform, it is proposed to establish a single regulatory authority that will replace the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Council and the Second Authority for Television and Radio, and will be authorized to regulate the field of providing viewing and audio content across all platforms.
The authority will be authorized to monitor competition in the market and prevent behaviors that may harm it. In addition, the law proposes to convert the existing licensing obligation into a registration obligation only, as well as to reduce the regulatory requirements applicable to content providers.
The approval of the law was made as part of a 'deal' with the ultra-Orthodox factions, within the framework of which the Knesset plenum had earlier approved in first reading the bill to expand the authority of rabbinical courts.
The proposal was submitted by Knesset members Moshe Gafni, Israel Eichler and Yaakov Asher of United Torah Judaism, and Yinon Azulai of Shas.
63 Knesset members voted in favor, compared to 43 who opposed.
The proposal will be returned to the Constitution Committee for preparation for second and third readings.
The purpose of the proposal is to enshrine in law the authority of rabbinical courts to hear as arbitrators, with the consent of the parties, civil matters that can serve as the subject of an arbitration agreement, in accordance with the religious law applicable to them.
The explanatory notes to the bill state: "The purpose of this bill is to enshrine in law the authority of the rabbinical courts to hear as arbitrators, with the consent of the parties, civil matters that can serve as the subject of an arbitration agreement between parties, in order to enable parties who so desire to bring the civil dispute between them to a decision according to Torah law in the rabbinical courts.".
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