Ben-Gvir wants to ban Mosque loudspeakers, citing precious “sleep”

Ben-Gvir is eagerly sharing cheap content online to fan the flames of incendiary views against Palestinians. In his latest cringe-worthy video, he complains that the Islamic call to prayer disrupts his sleep and threatens to “put an end to the noise.”

For Muslims worldwide, the call to prayer — also known as adhan — holds a central place in daily life. It not only invites worship but carries profound spiritual significance, and is now the latest target of Israel’s discriminatory policies.

Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir complaining about the volume of the Islamic call to prayer (Adhan) from mosques.

"Enough! I will work to change this situation and put an end to the noise coming from the mosques." pic.twitter.com/RVDtFOLZ5F

— DOAM (@doamuslims) June 3, 2026

Ben-Gvir vows to silence the mosques

Back in mid-May, his Otzma Yehudit party proposed a parliamentary bill to ban mosque loudspeakers unless a state permit is obtained.

The bill would grant additional powers to the Israeli occupation police, including entering mosques, revoking permits, confiscating equipment, and imposing fines ranging from 50,000 to 10,000 shekels (£2,500-£12,500 Shekels). All mosques across occupied territories, including East Jerusalem, would be subject to these changes.

Ben-Gvir has described the call to prayer as a public health risk. Quoted by Israeli ultra-Orthodox outlet, Charedim 10, he said:

“In many places, the noise of the muezzin [who makes the call to prayer] is an unreasonable noise that harms the quality of life and health of residents. This is a phenomenon that cannot be tolerated. During my tenure, for the first time, the Israel Police began to deal with this unbearable phenomenon. Now we are giving it additional dramatic tools to eradicate the phenomenon.”

Genocide by means of erasure

The prohibition of adhan has never been about noise pollution. The policy is a continuation of genocide by means of religious erasure to remove Palestinians from public life. This is the real reason he wants to silence an ineradicable symbol of Palestine’s Islamic heritage and identity.

There have been numerous legal attempts by the Zionist regime to regulate the adhan, none of which have been voted in. Back in 2024, Ben-Gvir ordered Israeli police officers to enter mosques, confiscate loudspeakers, and issue fines for noise complaints. However, since his directive circumvented parliament, it went nowhere and faced stiff opposition from Arab mayors.

However, the latest proposal goes further than previous attempts and has advanced further in the Knesset. As “national security” minister, Ben-Gvir oversees the police and prison system — by which we mean he consistently abuses these powers to advance apartheid policies against Palestinians.

He frequents illegal settlements and the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, the third holiest site in Islam, where he has suggested building a synagogue — to quench his sadistic desire to taunt Palestinians.

Ben-Gvir racist policies discriminate against Palestinians

Under Ben-Gvir’s watch, more settlers in the occupied West Bank have illegally acquired firearms. Gun control regulations have been loosened, and dozens of gun permits have been approved.

Thousands of assault rifles have also been distributed to settler “security teams” in the occupied West Bank. These measures have facilitated greater violence towards Palestinian communities and their forced displacement.

Over the past year, Ben-Gvir has also championed the newly approved death penalty law for Palestinian prisoners. His policies have stripped away what little human rights Palestinian prisoners had. The severe overcrowding, medical neglect, starvation and torture are intentional, and have now become the norm.

In 2023, he even ordered the occupation’s police to ban Palestinian flags from public spaces, calling them “terrorist flags.” The proposed prohibition is merely another attempt to outlaw Palestinian national symbols remains in effect today.

Whether this legislation will ultimately pass remains uncertain. One thing remains clear however, the occupation will not rest until Palestinians capitulate — which we know isn’t on the cards.

Lest we forget, the call to prayer has echoed across Palestine for centuries, long before “Israel” was established. No legislative bill can change that.

Featured image via Shaul Schwarz / Getty images