About a half year has passed since the current administration has wiped out the ‘accomplishments’ of the previous administration, the 19th Knesset, regarding state giyur. The liberalized giyur as gedolei yisrael viewed it was removed from the state agenda as part of the coalition agreements signed between the chareidi parties and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. According to statistics quoted by the Yisrael Hayom daily, there were 4,000 converts in 2014 as opposed to 3,600 in 2015, citing the main point is new candidates are not lining up as they were in the past.

A source quoted anonymously by the newspaper explains persons considering giyur began viewing the state giyur as problematic, a system “that complicates our lives” for not everyone accepts them as Jews when they are done, referring to the chareidi tzibur around the world.

These facts were released in the shadow of reports in the dati leumi community, which quotes the “dirty trick” as it is being called, played on Rabbi Chaim Druckman Shlita by officials in the office of Rishon L’Tzion Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Shlita.

According to reports, during the height of the machlokes surrounding state giyur during the 19th Knesset, with Likud, Bayit Yehudi and Yesh Atid in the coalition, Elazar Stern managed to push through his controversial giyur bill which liberalized state giyur to put it mildly. This was done amid audible objections from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel.

Rabbi Druckman explains he tried to serve as a go-between to bring the sides to a compromise. He suggested that whatever the giyur will be, the final signature must come from the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, thereby leaving the certification process in the hands of the Chief Rabbinate.

Rav Druckman begins by stating Stern’s law was a bad one, and he too was not in favor of it. He felt the status quo pertaining to giyur should have continued and worked to receive chareidi approval for his position as well. He met with Rav Yosef and explains there was an understanding between them – both agreeing his (Rav Druckman’s) version was preferable than advancing MK Stern’s bill.

It is explained that after Rav Druckman left Rav Yosef’s home, an aide to Rav Yosef named David Amar phoned explaining the rav wishes to bring him a letter, adding he should not come up but he would bring the letter down to him (Rav Druckman). Contrary to what was discussed and agreed to, the letter stated Rav Yosef rejects his position. This letter explains Rav Druckman was publicized on chareidi websites, stating emphatically “There is no place for Chief Rabbinate backing the cabinet decision regarding giyur even though it is better than the (Stern) giyur bill. It is insufficient and I have already told Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in discussions “zu neveila v’zu treifa”.

Responding to the report, officials in Rav Yosef’s Office emphasize Rav Druckman, whom is a well-respected rav, met with Rav Yosef from time-to-time and at the time and the Rishon L’Tzion gave Rabbi Druckman a letter relating to giyur. This letter shows the facts as they are presented are incorrect”.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)