Jewish Agency chief slams repeal of conversion bill

Jewish Agency chief Natan Sharansky on Sunday criticized a cabinet decision to repeal legislation recognizing Jewish conversions conducted by an increased number of rabbis.

“The Jewish Agency for Israel deeply regrets the cancellation of the government’s decision from less than a year ago regarding the establishment of local conversion courts,” Sharansky said in a statement.

“We cannot accept the fact that a matter so vital to the future of the Jewish people and to Israel’s existence as a Jewish state is subject entirely to the configuration of the coalition at any given time and to government decisions adopted and then canceled after each election cycle,” he declared.

“The establishment of the local courts sought to address the needs of tens of thousands of immigrants and their children who require conversion due to their desire to join the Jewish people in a more complete and recognized manner,” he added.

Education Minister Naftali Bennett and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked, both of the Jewish Home party, who oppose the ultra-Orthodox monopoly on conversions and other religious services, were the only ministers to vote against the measure.

Shaked also hit out at the move on Monday, telling radio station Galey Israel that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had sold out her party.

“Netanyahu went over our heads because of pressure from [Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor] Liberman in opposition,” Shaked said. “From the moment the government was formed, it was clear that the amendment to the conversion law would be overturned.

“Likud, despite our position, sold it all to the ultra-Orthodox, let’s be honest. This was the reality of the coalition negotiations.”

The conversion initiative, which was passed by the Knesset Law Committee last year, was considered to be one of the previous government’s major achievements before elections were called and the legislation process was halted. But the policy was repealed Sunday in fulfillment of part of the coalition agreement between the Likud party and the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism.

Under the soon-to-be defunct measure, as many as 30 courts made up of municipal rabbis would have been approved to conduct conversions. Currently there are 33 rabbis and only four conversion courts that can legally perform conversions throughout Israel.