The occupation's Minister of War decides to close the army radio.. "It has become a platform for attacking soldiers"

The Israeli Minister of Defense said today, Wednesday, that he will propose to the government the closure of the army radio, describing this step as necessary to maintain the army's neutrality and enhance public trust in it.

The minister's office, headed by Israel Katz, stated that the minister "has decided to close the army radio, and the station's broadcasts will be suspended by March 1, 2026."

He added: "Katz will soon present a draft resolution to the government for approval of the step according to the legal procedures in place," explaining that he has directed the formation of a specialized team within his ministry to oversee the implementation of the decision and manage the arrangements for ending the radio's operations, while ensuring the rights of its employees.

The statement quoted Katz as saying: "The army radio, as a military station, should serve as a trumpet and ear for the soldiers and their families, not a platform for expressing opinions that attack the army and its soldiers."

He continued: "Operating a civilian radio station by the army is an anomaly unmatched in any democratic country in the world."

Katz pointed out that the continued operation of the radio "involuntarily engages the Israeli army in political discourse and harms its standing," noting that former defense ministers have discussed closing or privatizing the station since the 1950s, but without implementation.

Katz clarified that many soldiers and civilians - including families of the deceased - have expressed their dissatisfaction with the radio's performance over the past two years.

He claimed that these individuals felt the radio does not "represent them but harms the war effort and morale, and Israel's enemies interpret these messages as if they were issued by the army itself."

The army radio, established in 1950, is one of the most prominent media outlets in Israel, but it is not considered an official spokesperson for the army and often publishes criticisms directed at the government and the military establishment.