Katz submits a proposal to close the Occupation Army Radio until next March

Today, Wednesday, the Minister of the Israeli Occupation Army presented to the Israeli occupation government a proposal to take a decision to close the military radio station “Ghali Tsahal” It stopped broadcasting permanently, no later than March 1, 2026, against the backdrop of what he described as the station’s activity “harming the army, its soldiers, and its unit.”

 

According to the proposal, the station’s frequency allocations will also end until that date, with the decision being presented to a vote in the government session scheduled for next Sunday.

The proposal stipulates that the Minister of Army establish a professional staff within the Ministry of the Army. He is responsible for implementing the closure decision, and deals with various aspects related to ending the station’s activity, including existing contracts, property, and the radio archive, in addition to the issues of its employees.

The crew will also discuss the future of the “Gilglitz” station, while preserving its character and identity, with the Minister of the Army authorized to make decisions related to it based on the crew’s recommendations.

The text of the proposal stated that “the station is significantly involved in news and political content, in a manner It harms the Israeli occupation army, its soldiers, and its unity, and this problem far outweighs the benefit sought from its continued activity.”

In the explanation document, the Minister of the Army indicated that the operation of a radio station directed to the general public by the army is an exceptional phenomenon that is unparalleled in democratic countries. He considered that “Ghali’s” activity was lenient. It throws the Israeli army, against its will, into the political debate, and undermines its position as an official and non-political body, stressing that the harm resulting from its continued operation outweighs any potential benefit.

The document reviewed the historical and legal background of the station, which was established by a government decision in 1950, without being regulated by a basic law.

It was also stated that over the years, the station broadcast broad civilian content, including news and affairs. The proposal also included a review of the reports of various committees that discussed the future of the station over the years, in addition to the positions of army ministers and former chiefs of staff, some of whom expressed their opposition to the continued operation of a civilian radio station within a military framework.

It was noted that in August 2025, an advisory committee was formed headed by Dr. Dalia Zelikovic, which recommended two options: Stop broadcasting current affairs programs and close the news section, or close the station entirely. After studying the alternatives, the Minister of the Army chose to push for the closure of the station.

The proposal explained that the option of stopping the broadcast of current affairs programs was also rejected, among other reasons, due to legal difficulties related to freedom of expression and fear of interference in media content, considering that closing the station is better than changing its character and maintaining it as a military unit.

With regard to the “Galgaltz” station, the Minister of the Army indicated that it mainly focuses on broadcasting music, does not offer current affairs programs or news, and does not interject The army is in political disputes, so the closure of “Ghali Tasafa” is lenient. Gilgaltz does not necessarily need to be closed, but its future will be discussed separately.

The proposal also stated that the implementation team would work to provide assistance to workers at the station, including civilian employees in the army, upon termination of their work, through employment and compensation arrangements that are as appropriate as possible and in accordance with the law.

According to the document, the decision does not entail additional financial consequences, and does not include any change in the strength of the workforce in the Israeli security system.  

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