Israeli Government Approves Army Radio Closure, Commander Vows High Court Fight

The Israeli government on Sunday approved the closure of Army Radio (Galei Tzahal), effective March 1, 2026, after 75 years of broadcasting. Defense Minister Israel Katz, backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, led the decision, which has drawn sharp criticism from journalists, legal experts, and press freedom advocates.

Army Radio commander Tal Lev-Ram vowed to petition the High Court of Justice to stop the closure, calling the process “legally flawed” and politically motivated. “A heavy shadow hangs over the committee’s work,” he said, referring to the government-appointed panel that recommended the shutdown.

Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara has warned the move raises serious concerns about political interference and infringes on press freedom. The Israel Press Council, led by former Supreme Court Justice Hanan Melcer, condemned the decision as “illegitimate and illegal,” arguing that only the Knesset can authorize such a step.

The Union of Journalists in Israel said it would also petition the High Court, calling the decision “unlawful, disproportionate, and a blow to democracy.” Several NGOs, including the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, echoed that sentiment.

Katz argued the station had strayed from its original mission of serving IDF soldiers and had become a political platform undermining army morale. “Army Radio was not established to be a platform for voicing opinions, many of which attack the IDF,” Katz stated.

The committee behind the closure described Army Radio as a “democratic anomaly,” criticizing its dual identity as both a military unit and an independent media outlet broadcasting to the public.

Critics accused Katz of selecting committee members to predetermine the outcome. They questioned why alternatives such as partial privatization or removing political coverage were dismissed.

Army Radio learned of the decision without being allowed to respond to the committee’s findings, Lev-Ram said, citing “numerous flaws and conflicts of interest” in the process.

Historically, while some defense ministers have criticized Army Radio, none have pursued outright closure. Instead, past attempts focused on reform, personnel changes, or program diversification.

Galgalatz, the IDF-run music and traffic station, is expected to continue operating.

Katz ordered a halt to new Army Radio enlistments and directed IDF and Defense Ministry leaders to reassign soldiers and negotiate severance for civilian staff. Implementation is to be completed by mid-February.

Despite government approval, the legality of the move remains uncertain. The High Court has previously blocked full dismantling of Israeli public media, though it allowed transformations like the creation of KAN.

The legal battle over Army Radio’s future is set to become a major test case in Israel’s ongoing struggle over media independence, democracy, and civil-military relations. Share this article or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.