Defense Minister Katz Moves to Shut Down Army Radio by March 2026

Defense Minister Israel Katz announced today that he has decided to close Army Radio (Galei Tzahal) by March 1, 2026, citing complaints that the station damages “the war effort and morale,” stressing that the IDF must remain outside political debates.

Army Radio, founded in 1950, is a military-run national broadcaster that serves both soldiers and the general Israeli public. Known for its mix of news, commentary, and music, it has long been one of Israel’s most influential media outlets and a rare example of a military station that also functions as a mainstream news organization, and as a bridge between the army and the people. 

The decision follows recommendations from a Defense Ministry committee that concluded that the very existence of a military radio station broadcasting to the general public was “a democratic anomaly that has no equal in the world,” meaning that in no other democracy does a military body operate a public news broadcaster with political content. The committee found that Army Radio’s involvement in current affairs and political commentary “harms the IDF’s status as the people’s army.” It recommended two paths: convert the station to a limited “Soldiers’ Home” model focused on music and brief news updates, or shut it down entirely, with Katz choosing the latter option.

“Army Radio was established by the Israeli government as a military station to serve as a voice and ear for IDF soldiers and their families — not as a platform for opinions that attack the army and its soldiers,” Katz said in his statement. “I intend to soon bring to the government the decision to close the station — a necessary step to preserve the IDF’s national character and strengthen public trust in it.”

Katz added that complaints had multiplied during the ongoing war. “Throughout the war, many soldiers and civilians, including bereaved families, complained that the station does not represent them and even harms the war effort and morale. Worse, our enemies interpret those messages as if they are being delivered by the IDF itself,” he said.

Katz pledged to establish a professional team within the Defense Ministry to manage the closure process, assist civilian employees with fair termination arrangements, and transfer the station’s frequencies to the Communications Ministry.

Army Radio commander Tal Lev-Ram reacted, saying the announcement came as “a serious and tragic blow to the people’s army, to Israeli society, and to press freedom in a democratic state.” He vowed to resist the decision, saying, “I intend to fight this severe decision by every means. We will not allow them to close the soldiers’ home.” Station staff were reportedly instructed not to address the minister’s decision on air.

Outside the military, Hanan Melcer, head of the Israel Press Council, said, “The decision to close Army Radio is illegal — we will act against it. The Press Council will use every legal means to prevent the station’s closure, defend press freedom, media diversity, and the public’s right to know.”

The Union of Journalists in Israel also vowed to fight the decision. “Israel Katz will not close any media outlet in the State of Israel. The journalists’ union will fight against this bad decision until it is canceled. Army Radio will not be closed,” it said in a statement.

Army Radio has been broadcasting for 75 years. Successive governments and IDF chiefs have long debated whether the broadcaster should remain under military control, be privatized, or be placed under civilian oversight. Katz’s proposal, widely expected to face legal challenges, will now move to the government for formal approval in the coming weeks.