'Israeli' court deals blow to army radio closure plans

• 'Israeli' court freezes closure of 'Israeli' army radio, halting government plans.
• High Court cites procedural flaws and potential irreversible actions by the government.

A judicial decision has dealt a major setback to the 'Israeli' government's plan to shut down the 'Israeli' army radio. The 'Israeli' High Court issued a temporary injunction freezing the closure until final rulings are made on appeals filed against the decision.

The ruling comes less than a week after the 'Israeli' cabinet unanimously approved a proposal by controversial Defense Minister Israel Katz to close the station, setting March 1 as the end date for its broadcasts.

Read more: 'Israel' approves closure of Army Radio over reports criticizing army

Chief Justice Ishak Amit said the injunction was issued partly due to concerns that the government might take irreversible actions against the station before a final court ruling.

The Attorney General of 'Israel', Gali Baharav-Miara, supported the appeals, noting procedural and substantive flaws in the government’s decision-making that were known beforehand.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi criticized the court’s decision, calling the cabinet vote to close the station "correct and permanent" and describing the freeze as "illegal".

Read more: 'Israeli' army locks down West Bank town linked to deadly ramming-stabbing operation

The 'Israeli' cabinet had argued that the station's political and current affairs programs posed challenges to the 'Israeli' army and could harm troops and operational units.

Opponents quickly filed appeals, claiming the closure aimed to weaken media critical of the government while benefiting outlets aligned with Prime Minister Netanyahu’s administration.

The High Court announced it will set a hearing for the appeals before the end of January.