Liberman's Yisrael Beytenu appeals conversion bill

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman’s Yisrael Beytenu party appeals the bill approved by the cabinet that granted the ultra-Orthodox a de facto monopoly over conversions to Judaism.

The bill, which was advanced by the ultra-Orthodox parties, pulls the government’s recognition of private conversions, namely those not conducted by the Chief Rabbinate.

Liberman had earlier criticized the ultra-Orthodox-backed bill as a move that “pushes away anyone who is trying to and wants to grow closer to Judaism.”

Yisrael Beytenu’s Immigration Absorption Minister Sofa Landver, who was reportedly the only minister to vote against the bill on the high-level panel, filed the appeal of the bill to the Knesset.