Minister of Housing Uri Ariel, who holds the number two position in the Bayit Yehudi faction in Knesset, is opposed to the so-called Stern Bill, referring to the bill of MK (The Movement) Elazar Stern seeking to expand the voting body for the nation’s chief rabbis. Ariel opposes the appointment of women to the committee. Party leader Minister of Industry & Trade Naftali Bennett is a staunch supporter of the bill, which would add 50 additional persons including many women and female rabbinical advocates to the voting body.
While Ariel filed a motion against the bill with the Ministerial Legislative Committee, Bayit Yehudi officials released a statement to the media seeking to assure the public the party remains united.
Bennett and Ariel remain divided on the party’s endorsement of a candidate for Ashkenazi chief rabbi as well, with the party leader backing Rabbi David Stav while Ariel stands behind Rabbi Yaakov Ariel.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
This was entirely predictable.
When there are two separate groups united as one, a Conservative/Frum/Right wing component merging with a Liberal/Traditional/Peace at all expenses component there will be cracks and eventually a split. Seeing it happening already!
I know a good counceller for “jewish homes” but they said this case is hopeless