Israeli Knesset approves muezzin bill in first reading

JERUSALEM — Israel's Knesset approved in first reading a bill restricting the use of loudspeakers at houses of worship under a "noise prevention" rationale, with 50 lawmakers voting in favor and 36 against. The measure, long championed by Yisrael Beiteinu party leader Avigdor Liberman, also drew support from members of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party. The vote drew criticism from Arab members of the Knesset, particularly the Ra'am party. Ra'am leader Mansour Abbas described the bill as "racist and hostile to religion," calling Shas's support "disappointing and shameful," and said those disturbed by the call to prayer should insulate their homes instead. Members of United Torah Judaism were absent during the vote, while Arab parties did not take part in a separate vote on a Basic Law bill related to Torah study. A similar proposal was brought before the Knesset about a decade ago by then-Bayit Yehudi MK Motti Yogev, with backing from Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu lawmakers. Backers of the legislation argue its aim is to protect the quality of life of residents affected by noise rather than to restrict religious freedom, and point to comparable regulations in countries including China. The bill must still pass second and third readings in the Knesset before it can be adopted into law.