Housing Minister (Bayit Yehudi) Uri Ariel and Deputy Minister of Religious Services Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan have stated they will not permit lawmakers to compromise the status of rabbonim. Rabbonim who serve as the state-appointed chief rabbis of cities met with Ariel and Ben-Dahan. The rabbonim requested the ministers act to prevent what they view as destructive legislation that will harm Yiddishkheit in Israel.

The rabbonim are referring to a number of bills that will soon be addressed in Knesset including limiting the term of chief rabbis of cities to a 10-year term instead of the current situation permitting them to serve their entire life. They are also concerned with a bill seeking to eliminate the nation’s local religious councils.

Rabbonim attending the meeting included Ohr Yehuda Chief Rabbi Tzion Cohen, Atlit Chief Rabbi Shimon Elmaliach, Kiryat Gat/Sderot Chief Rabbi Moshe Havlin, Even Yehuda Chief Rabi Aaron Badichi, and Maale Adumim Chief Rabbi Mordechai Nagari. The rabbonim fear the legislation pending in Knesset may serious harm their positions, the posts of the Chief Rabbis of Israel and religious services throughout the country.

Minister Ariel and Deputy Minister Ben-Dahan promised to block legislation that will harm the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, promising the rabbonim present that this will b e brought to the attention of cabinet ministers.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)