In a move widely condemned as an attack on religious freedoms, Israel’s ultranationalist Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has instructed police to confiscate mosque loudspeakers used for the call to prayer (adhan), citing claims of disturbance to Jewish residents.

The decision specifically targets mosques in mixed cities with both Jewish and Palestinian populations, according to reports from Israeli Channel 7. This directive is part of Ben-Gvir’s broader campaign to silence Palestinian voices and suppress cultural expressions, critics say.

On social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Ben-Gvir stated "I am proud to lead a policy aimed at reducing the unreasonable noise from mosque loudspeakers," framing the adhan as a "disturbance" to Israeli residents.

Arab members of the Knesset have denounced the order, calling it a calculated attack on Palestinian religious and cultural identity. Ahmad Tibi, a prominent Arab MP, accused Ben-Gvir of exploiting the ongoing war to inflame tensions and marginalize Palestinians.

"Ben-Gvir is once again fanning the flames of Islamophobia. This time, his target is the muezzins and mosques," said Tibi. "We will resist this oppressive policy and defend our sacred spaces."

The controversial minister, notorious for his hardline, anti-Palestinian positions, has been a vocal advocate for extreme measures against Palestinians. Since the escalation of Israel’s assault on Gaza on October 7, 2023, Ben-Gvir has intensified his rhetoric, calling for executions of Palestinian detainees, annexation of the West Bank, and re-imposing Israeli control over Gaza.

Rights groups and activists have decried the loudspeaker seizures as an unprecedented attack on religious freedoms, urging international intervention to hold Israel accountable for its discriminatory policies.

For Palestinians, the adhan represents a deeply rooted cultural and religious tradition. Its silencing is seen not only as a breach of religious rights but also as part of a broader effort to erase Palestinian presence in their ancestral homeland. (ILKHA)