Yitzhak Amit's apology to the Haredi public

Judge Yitzhak Amit apologized for his remarks that sparked controversy, in which he claimed that many Haredim hold a kosher phone alongside a smartphone. Amit clarified that he did not intend to offend the Haredi public and that after reviewing the recording of the hearing, he believes he should have phrased his words differently.

Judge Yitzhak Amit apologized today (Thursday) for his remarks regarding the use of kosher phones in the Haredi public, which drew criticism and led to the filing of complaints against him. Amit clarified that he did not intend to hurt the feelings of the Haredi public, and after watching the recording of the hearing again, he believes he should have expressed himself differently. The controversy erupted during a hearing on a petition against moves to expand the broadcast areas of regional radio stations. During the hearing, the claim that expanding broadcasts is necessary in an emergency to allow populations that do not use other means of communication to receive alerts and information was examined. During the hearing, Amit cast doubt on the assumptions underlying the argument and quipped that many Haredim hold two phones—one kosher for show and one smartphone. Amit emphasized that "given the public sensitivity of the issue, it would have been better if the sentence that is the subject of the complaints had been phrased and expressed differently, and I regret that the words hurt the feelings of the complainants or others in this context."