⚖️ HIGH COURT STRIKES DOWN GOVERNMENT DECISION TO CLOSE ARMY RADIO: The High Court of Justice invalidated the government’s decision to shut down Galei Tzahal, or Army Radio.
Judge Kasher wrote: “It cannot be accepted that a person vested with governmental authority may decide that, because they dislike a broadcaster’s remarks, the broadcaster’s ‘microphone should be shut off.’ A government that acts in this manner is acting in a patently undemocratic way.”
At the same time, the justices rejected the attorney general’s position that shutting down Army Radio could only be accomplished through legislation, ruling that the government does have the authority to make such a decision.
Defense Minister Israel Katz responded: “I completely disagree with the High Court of Justice’s decision to invalidate the government’s decision to shut down Army Radio (Galatz), on the grounds that ‘the decision was based on an improper and impermissible consideration,’ and with the Court placing its judgment above that of the elected government ministers, who unanimously believed that there is no place within the IDF for a civilian radio station featuring political content. Since the High Court ruled that the government did have the authority to make the decision and rejected the argument that shutting down Galatz required primary legislation, when we win the elections, God willing, and once again receive the public’s mandate, we will complete the process on this matter.”
🔹 ISRAEL HAYOM POLL: An Israel Hayom and Dudi Hasid poll following the formation of the Joint List places the Arab parties at 13 seats, the Change Bloc at 56 and Netanyahu’s bloc at 51.
🛰️ NETANYAHU CONVENES SECURITY CHIEFS ON SYRIA AND TURKEY: Prime Minister Netanyahu held a special meeting with the heads of Israel’s security and intelligence agencies to discuss potential future developments, with particular focus on Syria and relations with Turkey, according to i24 News.
Israel Hayom reported: “Israel has studied how NATO's Article 5 opeates and where it applies. Turkish troops do not carry that territory with them onto Syrian or unrecognized Northern Cypriot soil”.
⚓ USS GEORGE WASHINGTON CARRIER STRIKE GROUP ARRIVES IN MIDDLE EAST: CENTCOM says the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group has arrived in the Middle East and is now operating in the CENTCOM area of responsibility.
⚠️ U.S. TREASURY SECRETARY THREATENS MAXIMUM SANCTIONS ON IRAN: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said: “We will impose the harshest sanctions on Iran, and they will lead to the collapse of the regime”.
✈️ U.S. APPROVES POSSIBLE $4.5 BILLION KC-46A SALE TO QATAR: The U.S. State Department approved a possible sale to Qatar of up to four KC-46A aerial refueling aircraft and related equipment, valued at approximately $4.5 billion. The package includes eight PW4062 turbofan engines, radar warning receivers and other associated equipment.
🔸 LEBANON CALLS ON IRAN TO HALT INTERFERENCE: Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji said: “We urge Iranian officials to cease their interference in Lebanese affairs”.
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