New Communications Minister to Cancel Cell Phone Reforms

Shlomo Karhi of the Likud, the incoming communications minister, decided Monday – his first day in office – to cancel the cell phone reform that was the flagship reform of former Minister Yoaz Hendel and one of the actions that became the symbol of the former government.

As per the reform, which was opposed by Gedolei Yisrael and the chareidi factions, it was possible to move from kosher numbers to non-kosher devices. Now Minister Karhi is canceling it, but it has not yet been decided whether competition will be allowed within the kosher plaform.

On Monday morning, at the ministerial exchange ceremony between Hendel and Karhi at the Communications Ministry, the incoming minister said, “I intend to sign in the coming days the cancellation of the kosher cell phone reform.”

Karhi added, “The outgoing minister made a decision regarding the cell phone usage among the chareidi public. After I delved into the issue, I found that the motivations for this reform were not concern for consumers but an attempt to interfere in the lives and style of living of private citizens.”

He clarified: “We will not interfere in the decisions of any user in any sector. The policy of the office under me will leave freedom in the hands of the citizen.”

Karhi also said: “Quite a few threatening headlines have been written since I received the appointment [as minister]. Headlines will not deter me. I stand behind my words and intend to lead the media market in the direction of a free market and competition.”

According to him, “As far as the ministry’s policy is concerned, I intend to study things in depth and only then act, and this in order to responsibly implement the policy for which I was elected.”