Israel’s cabinet has unanimously approved a plan to close Galei Tzahal, the Israel Defense Forces’ radio station, marking one of the most consequential media decisions taken by the government in years. 

The proposal, advanced by Defense Minister Israel Katz and endorsed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was approved on December 22, 2025. 

Broadcasting since 1950, the station is scheduled to cease operations by March 1, 2026, ending a 75-year run.

Government leaders argue that the arrangement itself is untenable. 

Katz and Netanyahu described the operation of a civilian-oriented news outlet inside the military as a “democratic anomaly,” with Netanyahu likening it to systems found in “North Korea.” 

They contend that Galei Tzahal’s news and political programming draws the Israel Defense Forces into public disputes, eroding neutrality and cohesion at a time of strain.

Founded to serve soldiers and their families, Galei Tzahal has evolved into a major national broadcaster. 

It employs both conscripted soldiers and civilian journalists, airs news and current affairs, and commands an estimated 18% share of Israel’s radio market. 

Its annual budget is about 52 million shekels, funded largely through advertising. Supporters of the closure argue that this evolution has blurred institutional boundaries and exposed the military to political controversy.

A government-appointed advisory committee, established in June 2025, held hearings and accepted public submissions before recommending either the station’s closure or the removal of its current affairs content. 

Under the approved plan, a professional team in the Defense Ministry will oversee employee terminations, asset disposition, and the handling of archives. The sister music and traffic station, Galgalatz, is set to continue operating under a separate framework.

The decision has prompted sharp criticism from legal authorities and the opposition. 

Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara warned that the move lacks a clear legal basis and constitutes political interference in public broadcasting, amounting to a serious infringement on freedom of expression and the press. 

Opposition leader Yair Lapid framed the closure as part of a broader campaign to stifle dissent ahead of elections, accusing the coalition of trying to “control consciousness.”

Journalists’ groups and watchdogs, including the Union of Journalists and the Israel Democracy Institute, argue that shutting Galei Tzahal would eliminate roughly half of Israel’s independent public news broadcasting capacity. Critics also note parallel government efforts to expand powers to close foreign outlets, including Al Jazeera, as part of a wider media policy shift.

Station commander Tal Lev-Ram has pledged to challenge the decision before the High Court of Justice, and multiple petitions have already been filed. 

The court has agreed to hear the cases, with a possible hearing slated for late January 2026. While reports have pointed to early administrative steps such as freezing consultant contracts, the Defense Ministry has denied that premature terminations are underway.