Army Radio

Gov’t legitimacy, elections: High Court hears arguments on decision to shutter Army Radio

The government decided in December to close the 75-year-old military broadcaster, following a committee’s recommendation and months of pressure from Defense Minister Israel Katz.

  The hearing in the Supreme Court in Jerusalem to examine the legality of the government’s decision to shutter Army Radio on Wednesday January 28, 2026.
An illustrative image of a reporter for Army Radio (Galei Tzahal) taken in 2019.

Shutdown of Army Radio is 'political move,' lawmakers warn panel ahead of High Court hearing

An Israeli soldier serving at Army Radio holds a microphone in Jerusalem, December 22, 2025 (Illustrative).

Ahead of High Court hearing, legal advisory warns closure of Army Radio threatens press freedom

An Israeli soldier holds an Army Radio microphone in Jerusalem, December 22, 2025

As High Court review nears, state defends decision to shutter Army Radio


A-G Baharav-Miara criticizes Army Radio's closure, warns of impact on Israel's press freedom

Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara criticized the hasty decision to shut down Army Radio, calling it a step toward restricting media freedom in Israel.

Attorney General of Israel Gali Baharav-Miara attends a ceremony marking the Hebrew calendar anniversary of the Hamas attack on October 7.

Growing contradictions at the heart of Israel’s liberal camp - opinion

Israeli liberal leaders push policies that clash with democratic principles, showing differing ways of how they treat different communities.

An illustrative image of a reporter for Army Radio (Galei Tzahal) taken in 2019.

Shutting down Army Radio is a blow to Israeli democracy - opinion

In the battle for the country’s future, shutting down Army Radio would be a serious blow to the fundamental rights of Israel’s citizens

Soldiers broadcasting from the studio of Galei Tzahal (Israel Army Radio).

'Wide-scale attack' on media: Israel’s leading journalists warn against Shlomo Karhi's reform

Leading journalists believe the proposed reforms to the media landscape are not about expanding choice, but about silencing dissent

Journalists from across the political spectrum are warning that moves to change the media echo illiberal models found in countries like Hungary and Turkey.

IDF condemns incitement graffiti at Army Radio building in Jaffa

These incitement messages take place against the backdrop of a move by Defense Minister Israel Katz to try to close Army Radio by March 1.

Incitement graffiti messages sprayed on the Army Radio building in Jaffa.

Israel Police shut down northern Israel business where terrorist who killed two was employed

The Northern District Commander, Meir Eliyahu, signed a 30-day closure order for the terrorist's place of employment in Kibbutz Mesilot in the Spring Valley on Saturday. 

Police apprehend terrorist who murdered two in combined terror attack, December 26, 2025.

High Court freezes government move to shutter Army Radio pending ruling

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced the decision to shutter the military broadcaster last week, with the closure slated to take effect in March.

 View of the IDF's Army Radio station headquarters in Jaffa, November 12, 2025

All steps to shutter Army Radio should be halted, A-G urges, in opposition to gov’t decision

“The decision is laden with errors,” Baharav-Miara said, noting that the court is expected to hear the case by the end of January.

Israeli attorney general Gali Baharav Miara at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem

Katz alleges Army Radio workers misled High Court in bid to halt closure

In a response to the High Court, Defense Minister Katz accused Army Radio workers of presenting false claims amid legal challenges to the station’s closure.

Minister of Defence Israel Katz visits the Mahaneh Yehudah Market in Jerusalem, on September 2, 2025.

Is Army Radio a threat to Israel’s democracy? - opinion

We were, and still are, concerned over the undemocratic elements in Galatz broadcasting and the proven biased media personnel involved.

An Israeli soldier serving at Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) holds a microphone in Jerusalem, December 22, 2025.