Israeli Arab anger as parliament backs 'muezzin bill'

8 March 2017 Middle East

There were angry scenes in Israel's parliament on Wednesday as preliminary approval was given to a bill that would restrict the use of outdoor loudspeakers by religious institutions.

Two versions of the so-called "muezzin bill", which would mostly affect Muslim calls to prayer, passed their first readings by slim majorities.

Some Arab MPs ripped apart copies of the legislation during a debate.

The bill will have to go through further readings before becoming law.

One version of the bill would ban all places of worship from using loudspeakers between 23:00 and 07:00. The other would prohibit the use of speakers considered "unreasonably loud and likely to cause disturbance" at any time of day.

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