The Hiddush organization has assumed a leading role in petitioning the High Court of Justice in Eretz Yisrael against continued funding for yeshivos following the abolition of the Tal Law. The petition simply states that without the Tal Law, the status of the avreichim is illegal and therefore, it cannot be permitted to continue. The petitioners point out that approximately 30,000 million NIS in monthly stipends is being paid to 54,000 avreichim and this must be halted.

Since the filing of that petition last month, the Education Ministry has halted stipends, as was reported by YWN-ISRAEL.

Hiddush has now moved to the USA, continuing its campaign in Los Angeles. The organization’s newsletter explains “The ads are aimed at raising awareness of Hiddush’s activities and the consequences of the clash of religion and state in Israel. Our goal is to reach a wide audience, to educate about the critical work of Hiddush, and to raise support for religious freedom and equality in Israel.”

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)