Shlomo Karhi

Dr. Shlomo Karhi is an Israeli lawmaker and academic who is part of the Likud Party and who currently serves as the country's communications minister.

A former member of the Bar-Ilan University faculty, Karhi has sparked controversy on numerous occasions, such as making statements against the LGBTQ+ community, and has also been spearheading a divisive communications reform.

Karhi, Ben-Gvir spar with AG over international media live footage ban

Since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, foreign media outlets have not been allowed into the Gaza Strip independently, and have been limited to entries guided by the IDF.

 National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir speaks during a rally in support of the current Israeli government, outside the Supreme Court in Jerusalem, on June 5, 2025.
 A police officer investigates a crater at an impact site following Iran's missile strike on Israel, in Beersheba, Israel, June 20, 2025.

Ben-Gvir and Karhi crack down on foreign press coverage of war damage in Israel

 Israeli minister of Defense Israel Katz attends a state ceremony for fallen Israeli soldiers whose burial place is unknown at Mount Herzl Military cemetery in Jerusalem on March 6, 2025.

Defense Minister Israel Katz sets up committee to probe Army Radio

Israeli newspapers

Gov’t committee greenlights controversial media reform bill


Karhi's media reform in Israel mirrors Orban's in Hungry, could be political overreach - opinion

Karhi's new media upheaval could punish outlets critical of the government and benefit entities that are close to it.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi debates in the Knesset, in Jerusalem, December 9, 2024

‘Make Karhi, Levin, Zohar launch official complaint against Bardugo’ - MGQ 

Last week, several reports came out of alleged blackmail attempts by Bardugo against Zohar and Levin.

 Justice Minister Yariv Levin at a Knesset committee meeting in Jerusalem. January 21, 2025.

'No connection to reality': Yariv Levin accuses Channel 14 commentator of extortion, threats

"He demanded personal things from me and threatened me if I did not comply with his demands," Levin told Radio 94FM.

 Justice Minister Yariv Levin at a Knesset committee meeting in Jerusalem. January 21, 2025.

Israeli officials react to Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar's resignation

Several members of Knesset applauded Bar for making "the right and appropriate decision," while others decried the move, saying he had already been fired.

 Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet security services, seen at Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem, October 27, 2024

Netanyahu 'puzzled' by court decision to freeze firing of Ronen Bar

Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli said "until today, many Israeli citizens lived under the illusion that they live in a democracy."

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen at the District court in Tel Aviv, as part of the criminal trial against him, April 2, 2025

Coalition MK launches new legislation targeting Kan’s independence

The bill proposal, by Likud MK Osher Shkalim, is one of a number of proposals targeting Kan, which are being promoted by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi.

Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi debates in the Knesset, in Jerusalem, December 9, 2024

KAN privatization bill will not advance, Economics Committee chairman says

Communications Minister will attempt to form a special subcommittee in order to bypass the decision

 MK David Bitan at a committee meeting at the Knesset in Jerusalem. January 15, 2025.

Likud MK: 'If we don’t respect the rule of law, there will be anarchy'

He remarked on Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi's recent comments stating he would not follow the High Court's orders with regard to Israel's public broadcaster KAN. 

Likud MK Moshe Saada speaks at the Knesset. June 25, 2024.

Karhi says he will not follow High Court orders, after court blocks dismantling of KAN

Karhi claimed the order was unconstitutional based on his own assessment. He does not hold a law degree.

 COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER Shlomo Karhi attends a Knesset National Security Committee meeting, last month. He should be congratulated for his persistence and success in taking down a channel that supports Hamas, the writer argues.

Individuals leaving Israel should not face criticism - opinion

One of the basic rights of the individual in a liberal democracy is the right to emigrate. Anyone who finds the situation unbearable has the right to leave without being branded a traitor.

 COMMUNICATIONS MINISTER Shlomo Karhi speaks during a meeting of the Knesset Economic Affairs Committee earlier this month. He argues that public broadcasting is an anomaly in the free market of democratic states, the writer notes.

Grapevine December 19, 2024: Wanted: A constitution

Movers and shakers in Israeli society.

PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG and first lady Michal Herzog, with bar and bat mitzvah youngsters who have lost a parent to terrorism.