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25th Knesset · outgoing

Evidence Ordinance Amendment (Journalist Privilege) Bill

Translated from Hebrew: הצעת חוק לתיקון פקודת הראיות (חיסיון עיתונאי)

TL;DRThe bill adds journalistic privilege to the Evidence Ordinance, protecting the identity of sources and information, but allows a court to lift it under certain conditions.

Translated from Hebrew

What does the bill do?

The bill changes the Evidence Ordinance and adds a new chapter on journalistic privilege. Journalists will not be required to disclose the identity of their sources or their information under certain conditions. A court may order a journalist to disclose their sources only if the disclosure will contribute decisively to a legal proceeding, is necessary for justice in a serious matter, and all other alternatives have been ruled out. The bill protects journalists and their professional partners from body searches, except by a court order that meets the said conditions.

Rejected at preliminary readingFirst plenum vote: November 12, 2025
Initiated by: a party that left the coalitionRead the full text (bill for preliminary reading) ↗

The votes on this bill

Rejected32 for · 44 against · 0 abstained · 44 did not vote
Source: the Knesset's vote record ↗

Coalition 67 seats

LikudAgainst 24 · Absent 8
ShasAgainst 6 · Absent 5
United Torah JudaismAgainst 3 · Absent 4
Religious ZionismAgainst 5 · Absent 2
Otzma YehuditAgainst 5 · Absent 1
New Hope – The United RightAgainst 1 · Absent 3

Left the coalition 9 seats

NoamAbsent 1

Opposition 44 seats

Yesh AtidFor 22 · Absent 2
Yisrael BeytenuFor 1 · Absent 5
Ra'amAbsent 5
Hadash–Ta'alFor 2 · Absent 3
LaborFor 1 · Absent 3

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