Israel’s High Court of Justice has frozen the appointment of a permanent director of the nation’s batei din system until such time a woman is appointed to the post of deputy director-general in keeping with the promise made by Director-General of the Ministry of Religious Services Oded Flus. The court also called to expedite amending the law to permit appointing a female director-general to the batei din system.

The justices heard a petition filed by attorney Batya Kahana-Dror and the justices, headed by Court Vice President Justice Elyakim Rubinstein, blocked the appointment of a director pending amending the law and permitting a woman become a contender for the deputy post.

The court stated it is aware that a motion to amend the law was presented to the Knesset Law Committee, suggesting that the committee expedites dealing with the procedure, immediately following Pesach.

The court also expressed criticism against the Director-General of the Ministry of Religious Affairs for failing to make the appointment as promised. The court has given the state until April 25th at which time it will have to explain why a female deputy director has not been appointed.

Hence, the court blocked the appointment of a director amid the realization it is likely to expedite addressing the issue of the appointment of a female to the deputy slot.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)