A recent Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) report stated Rabbi Binyamin Atias of the Petach Tikvah Religious Council refuses to marry couples from the Ethiopian community, as YWN-ISRAEL reported. The rabbi of the Petach Tikvah Ethiopian community, Rabbi Adiel Alov, explains this is not a one-time occurrence, but a policy, concurring with the Galei Tzahal report. Rav Alov explains the Petach Tikvah religious council does not accept converts signed off by Rabbi Chaim Druckman Shlita despite the fact Rabbi Druckman ran the state giyur program. Marriage candidates are compelled to bring additional documentation attesting to their adherence to a religious lifestyle.

There has recently been a meeting between representatives of Israel’s Ethiopian Jewish community and Chief Rabbi of Israel Dovid Lau Shlita during which the spelled out the difficulties encountered by couples wishing to get married. The explain that Rabbi Atias in particular appears to be boycotting them and refuses to meet with community representatives in the hope of finding a solution.

Srugim News quotes Rabbi Lau explaining that he lacks the authority to act against Rabbi Atias or to fire him. Rabbi Lau was secretly recorded during the meeting, stating “I can’t pull him by the ear to come and meet with you. I have invited him to meet with me but he does not come. [Rishon L’Tzion] Rabbi Yitzchak [Yosef] has also incited him but he does not come. We have no legal authority…I do not employ him. He is employed by the Ministry of Religious Services”, Rabbi Lau stated.

Srugim adds Rabbi Atias preferred not to respond. However, Paltiel Eisenthal, who heads the Petach Tikvah Religious Council did comment. “He prompted us to write all those who come to open a marriage file including Ethiopians, and this was done. Regarding who is Rabbi Atias’ employer, since he is also av beis din in Petach Tikvah, he receives his entire salary from the Ministry of Justice and therefore, we do not employ him but the Justice Ministry does”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)