Archive · 22 Dec 2025
Israel to shut down Army Radio
Israel's government has decided to close down Army Radio, a popular radio station that has been broadcasting since the early days of the country.
The Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said the station was originally meant for soldiers but has become a platform for views that criticize the military.
The Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, compared the station to something that exists in North Korea.
Many people are upset about this decision, saying it will hurt free speech and democracy.
Groups like the Israeli Union of Journalists and the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) have spoken out against it.
The government's move is part of a series of measures that critics see as attempts to control the media and limit independent news broadcasts.
Israel's cabinet voted to shut down Army Radio, a popular national radio station, by March 1, 2026.
Defence Minister Israel Katz proposed the shutdown, stating the station's original purpose was to broadcast for soldiers but it has become a platform for views attacking the IDF.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared the army-operated station to something that exists in North Korea.
Critics, including the Israeli Union of Journalists and the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI), denounced the move, saying it would harm free speech and democracy.
The decision is part of a broader pattern of measures by Netanyahu's coalition that critics see as blows to democracy, including plans to expand emergency measures for banning media deemed a threat to national security.
- Who
- Israel's cabinet, Defence Minister Israel Katz, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, critics including the Israeli Union of Journalists and the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI)
- What
- Decision to shut down Army Radio, a popular national radio station in Israel
- When
- Cabinet voted on Monday, December 22, 2023; shutdown planned for March 1, 2026
- Where
- Israel
- Why
- To preserve the military’s nonpartisan character and address what they see as a platform for views attacking the IDF, part of a broader pattern of measures critics see as blows to democracy
- Station Name
- Army Radio
- Shutdown Date
- March 1, 2026
- Defence Minister
- Israel Katz
- Prime Minister
- Benjamin Netanyahu
- Critics' Concern
- Harm to free speech and democracy
- Petition Against Decision
- Movement for Quality Government in Israel
- Think Tank's Statement
- Israel Democracy Institute (IDI)