Discussion on contentious kosher certification bill postponed amid coalition disputes

Religious Zionism MK Ohad Tal, chairman of the Knesset Committee on Public Projects, makes a last-minute decision to postpone a discussion on a controversial bill restoring the Chief Rabbinate’s exclusive control over kosher certification, delaying its advancement to the Knesset plenum.

“The decision to postpone the discussion stems from the need to coordinate, among all parts of the coalition, the legislation that will be brought forward this week as part of the Knesset’s end-of-session legislative push. Until agreements are reached, we have decided to halt further progress,” Tal tells The Times of Israel when asked for the reasoning behind the move.

The bill – which would reverse reforms from the previous coalition that allowed private Orthodox organizations to issue kosher certificates in their own name, provided they meet the state’s standards – was expected to come before the Knesset plenum for its final votes this week, before the parliament is expected to dissolve on July 17 ahead of elections.

The postponement comes amid a dispute between Tal’s Religious Zionism party and the Ultra-Orthodox Shas party over several contentious issues.

The bill appeared to form part of the coalition’s agreement with the ultra-Orthodox parties to advance several Haredi priorities, in exchange for support on key coalition bills.