Amid growing concerns over the new Giyur Bill that is scheduled for final votes in Knesset, Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef convened an urgent meeting with senior rabbonim from the dati leumi community. The rav explained that there can be no doubt, that giyorim converted through MK Elazar Stern’s new bill will not be recognized as Jews by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.

“We are stating our opinion that Jews true to Torah; religious, traditional and chareidim alike, that giyur may only be determined in line with halacha and halacha in Eretz Yisrael will be determined exclusively by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel” announced Rav Yosef at the meeting of rabbonim, which included Rabbi Yisrael Rosen, Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, Rabbi Mordechai Sternberg, and Shimon Cohen and Rabbi Gideon Pearl.

Rabbi Yosef added “Politics will not determine halacha pertaining to giyur or the other halachos in the country, but only the Chief Rabbinate of Israel will. The Giyur Bill must be immediately rejected to prevent chas v’sholom a need for establishing sifrei yuchasin for the outcome of this process is one of defrauding the convert. The giyorim from the bill supported by Stern will not be recognized by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel”.

The rabbonim signed a document showing their support for the Rishon L’Tzion’s position. This document is in addition to the opposition of the Derech Emunah faction of the dati leumi rabbonim, which includes Rabbi Chaim Druckman, Rabbi Elyakim Levanon, and Rabbi Dov Lior.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem / Photo: Moshe Glantz)