While the Chief Rabbis of Israel succeeded in persuading Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to remove the controversial Giyur Bill from the cabinet agenda due to their opposition and halachic concerns, Deputy Minister of Religious Services Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan insists the bill is not problematic.

Speaking with Galei Yisrael Radio, Rabbi Ben-Dahan insisted the newer version of the bill is exactly what the Chief Rabbinate of Israel asked for. Ben-Dahan remains confident that ultimately, the chief rabbis will support the bill after they come to realize the issues that were objectionable have been amended.

Ben-Dahan was confrontational in his tone against the chief rabbis for their continued opposition to the bill. He stated the objection from Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita are being exaggerated for the only point of contention is the chief rabbi wishes to select which civil service rabbis will be permitted to perform giyur. Ben-Dahan insists that is the only remaining issue and that the bill is not anti-halacha as some would like the public to believe is the case.

The deputy minister insists the fears the bill will compromise the future of who is a Jew are simply exaggerated and not based in fact and do not reflect the wording of the bill.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)