Bill expanding powers of rabbinical court passes its final Knesset votes

The Knesset gives its final approval to a controversial bill expanding the authority of rabbinical courts, voting 53-38 in its final readings and passing it into law.

The legislation, sponsored by the ultra-Orthodox United Torah Judaism party, allows rabbinic courts to arbitrate civil disputes — including relating to child custody — with the consent of both parties.

Rabbinical courts were allowed to act as arbitrators in financial disputes until 2006, when a court determined that they had no standing to do so.

Supporters have argued that expanding the courts’ authority will bring them in line with private rabbinical courts and arbiters, while critics assert that the bill will create a power imbalance that is harmful to weaker segments of society.

A survey released by the religious rights organization ITIM earlier this year found that more than half of Israelis who appeared before a rabbinical court in the past five years felt they were wronged during the procedure.

The bill passed its first reading earlier this month with the support of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. Its backing was reportedly part of a quid pro quo in which UTJ voted in favor of Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi’s bill giving the government significant control over broadcast media, news sites and other media.