A compromise version of the controversial Giyur Bill introduced by Rabbi Chaim Druckman Shlita is scheduled to be presented to the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday 9 Marcheshvan. Those in the know are signaling the revised version is likely to be approved by the cabinet on Sunday. If this is the case, the ball will be back in the Bayit Yehudi court as party leader Naftali Bennett will then have to move with the newly approved version. This will replace the MK Elazar Stern version of the bill scheduled to be voted upon in Knesset.

It is reported the revised bill will preserve the standing of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel vis-à-vis conversions and Reform conversions will not be accepted, as would have been the case in the bill presented by MK (The Movement) Elazar Stern.

“I won’t permit advancing political gain on the backs of the converts, the Chief Rabbinate of Israel or the government conversion program” Naftali Bennett stated. “In the last hour I submitted a more balanced version for the government to replace the extreme bill that would have compromised the status of converts, the bill intended for a Knesset vote, a bill that was pushed along with the assistance of the Arab parties. The matter of giyur is far too serious an issue and our responsibility is to extend a hand to our brothers, the converts, to assist them in completing the process which embraces total compliance with halacha in an atmosphere of love and acceptance while maintaining Jewish tradition that exists in the state”.

Bennett explains the version that was set for a vote in Knesset next week compromises halacha while this newly drafted version does not. He adds that if the bill would pass then the converts would not be recognized, even those who completed the program a one should and therefore, the end result is counterproductive, hurting the converts instead of assisting them.

“The bill presented to Knesset earlier is by the extremists on both sides – the chareidim who wish to bring the coalition down and the Reform Movement activists who are willing to forego the rights of the converts to be Jews according to halacha”.

“The other option, which is preferable, was presented by me to the government. It does not compromise halacha and many citizens will be able to complete the giyur process and they will be accepted by all of Am Yisrael. With supervision from a steering committee of civil service rabbonim and not by trusting everyone to act individually. The option presented to the cabinet was approved following hours of discussion with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Finance Minister Yair Lapid, Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Rabbi Chaim Druckman. It is balanced and will protect the converts and will not harm them, it will protect halacha and not circumvent it, and most importantly, the converts will be recognized as Jews”.

Bennett concludes “To my sorrow, due to the pressure exerted by the chareidim the prime minister pulled the bill from the cabinet. His actions were also contrary to his commitment to me and Minister Livni, and most of all, harming the thousands of giyorim. We have returned it to the cabinet for a vote. I hope the cabinet will do the right thing and approve it and place what is best for Am Yisrael before all else as elected public officials. The future of the Jewish People is not a matter for political deal-making or extremism on either side. We support responsible decision-making and not extremism that was the bill presented to Knesset”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)