Knesset Passes Karhi Communications Reform in Final Votes

The Knesset passed Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi’s broadcasting reform in its second and third readings by 53 votes to 48. The law creates a new statutory broadcast regulator, shifts qualifying content providers from licensing to registration, and keeps the proposed free government streaming app out of the final text. It redirects NIS 50 million from the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, split between the Idan Plus service and the new regulatory council. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to the plenum but left before the final vote.