Prevention of Harm to State Security by a Foreign Broadcasting Entity Law (Temporary Provision – Swords of Iron) (Amendment – Prevention of Broadcasts) Bill

What does the bill do?

The proposal amends an existing law dealing with stopping broadcasts of foreign channels in wartime. The main amendments are: adding the Israel Police to the definition of 'security bodies' that have powers to apply the law; clarifying the definition of 'foreign channel' so that it focuses on the location of the management and head office instead of only the place of production; removing the 'substantial harm' to security requirement in order to allow the tools to be used also to prevent potential threats; adding the National Security Council to the decision-making process; and adding a power to order the interception of broadcasts. The amendment also adds a requirement for the approval of a ministerial committee and to strengthen the tools available to the government in the fight against media that endangers state security.