Rabbonim from the dati leumi tzibur are warning Bayit Yehudi leader Naftali Bennett that if the party supports the Stern Bill it will lead to a split in the party. When the bill was voted upon in a preliminary vote, 9 of the 12 Bayit Yehudi MKs absented themselves from the vote, permitting it to pass. However, since then, Bayit Yehudi vetoed the bill, and it is now stuck in committee.

The Stern Bill seeks to modify the criteria for candidates seeking election as a chief rabbi as well as adding 50 people to the voting body, including more women and non-frum voters from different walks of Israeli life.

Srugim reports learning that rabbonim have informed Bennett that this may not be compared to supporting Rabbi David Stav for Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi, for there are rabbonim in favor of his candidacy while others are opposed. Regarding the Stern Bill however, all of the rabbonim are in agreement, opposing the bill. Therefore, he is instructed to oppose it.

Speaking to Kol Berama Radio on Tuesday morning, 26 Sivan, MK (Bayit Yehudi) Moti Yogev told Mordechai Lavi the party will oppose the Stern Bill, especially after Stern’s verbal assault against Bayit Yehudi colleague Shuli Moalem-Refaeli as day earlier.

Stern insulted Moalem-Refaeli, calling her unsuited for the appointment as a member to the committee selecting dayanim. His remarks however led to an outcry in Knesset. He apologized after learning that the reason she was not present for the preliminary vote on his bill was not related to his bill, but due to medical issues.

Bennett announced on Tuesday afternoon, 26 Sivan, that he will not remove the veto from the Stern Bill. However, he will appoint ten women to the voting body of 150 in his capacity as Minister of Religious Services, which appoints 10 of the 150. Therefore, Bennett plans to hand pick the ten, all being women.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)