Israeli lawmakers have approved a bill that would ban the Muslim call to prayer (adhan) from being broadcast through mosque loudspeakers, according to local media.

The Knesset approved the bill in a preliminary reading as part of efforts to tighten enforcement against what it described as "mosque noise".

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, the bill passed the 120-seat parliament by 50 votes to 36.

The bill was introduced by the Otzma Yehudit party, led by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and was backed by the opposition Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party.

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Under Israeli law, the bill must pass three further readings before it can become law.

The adhan is broadcast to notify Muslims of prayer times. Banning it from being played through mosque loudspeakers would significantly limit that function.

Rawhi Fattouh, head of the Palestinian National Council, described the move as a "crime" and a “legislative terrorism.”

It is “a blatant violation of freedom of worship and belief," Fattouh said in a statement.

According to Israel’s Channel 14, the proposed legislation stipulates that no sound system may be installed or operated in any mosque without explicit prior authorisation.

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