Israel - Arutz-7 Radio Off-Air Until Further Notice

10:56 Oct 20, '03

In light of today's court ruling convicting ten Arutz-7 directors and staff
members of broadcasting without a license, Arutz-7 stopped its radio
broadcasts at 5 PM this afternoon. It issued the following message to its
"precious and loyal listening public:"

"To the precious and loyal listening public of Arutz-7, may G-d bless you
from Zion.

"For some 15 years, Arutz-7 has broadcast Torah lessons and love of the
People and the Land, with the participation of the leaders of Israel. The
broadcasts accompanied and aided in the development of Torah in Israel and
settlement of the Land.

"Following the decision of the Likud Government of yesterday to prevent
advertising on non-licensed stations, and following today's court decision,
the management of Arutz-7 has decided to stop all broadcasts on the radio,
beginning at 5 PM this evening (10 AM Eastern Standard Time).

"The broadcasts will continue as usual on the internet (www.IsraelNN.com or
www.a7.org) and by phone - 057-777-777 [from abroad: +97257-777-777].

"Peace upon all."

This afternoon's ruling by the Jerusalem Magistrates Court convicted ten
Arutz-7 directors and staff members of broadcasting without a license. The
trial, which began over four and a half years ago, resulted in a flat-out
conviction of the ten for having broadcasted from within the territorial
waters of Israel, using transmitters within Israel without proper licensing,
and similar charges.

Arutz-7 Executive Director Yaakov Katz (Ketzaleh), convicted of issuing
false affidavits regarding the distance of the ship from shore, said when
the trial started that the State Prosecution operated under a double
standard: "It never indicted Abie Nathan for broadcasting from the sea - but
a week after he sank his ship, all the troubles for Arutz-7 started."

Today's ruling by Justice Yoram Noam stated that the defendants had violated
broadcast and telegraph laws. Yoel Tzur, one of the convicts, speaking from
the courtroom shortly after the verdict was announced, said that the first
stage is to study the ruling, and that "we will make every effort to
continue Arutz-7's broadcasts."

The sentences - a maximum of three-year jail terms and three-million shekel
fines - will be handed down next month. The Arutz-7 personnel who face these
punishments are:

* Rabbi Zalman Baruch Melamed, Rabbi of Beit El since its inception in 1977,
Dean of Yeshivat Beit El and Beit El Yeshiva Center Institutions, leading
member of the Yesha Council of Rabbis, and co-founder of Arutz-7;

* His wife Shulamit Melamed, long-time educational counselor at Tzviya Girls
High School, co-founder of Arutz-7, and programming director and station
manager;

* Yaakov Katz, known as Ketzaleh, indefatigable Executive-Director of
Arutz-7 and Beit El Yeshiva Center Institutions, wounded as an IDF officer
during the Yom Kippur War and bound to a wheelchair for months afterwards,
founding member of the community of Beit El;

* Yoel Tzur, Director of Arutz-7, IDF battalion commander in reserves,
founding member of the community of Beit El, lost his wife and son in
terrorist attack in 1996;

* Haggai Segal, Arutz-7 News Director, activist on behalf of the Jewish
population in Yesha and author of several books on the history of modern
settlement in Yesha;

* Adir Zik, veteran fiery nationalist broadcaster;

* Gidi Sharon, veteran music broadcaster, considered one of those
responsible for the revival of Sephardic (Jewish-Mideastern) music in
Israel;

* David Shapira, broadcaster and director of Arutz-7's French department;

* Ya'ir Meir, engineer; and

* Sha'ul Avni, captain of Arutz-7's Eretz HaTzvi ship.

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