While the Bayit Yehudi party has signaled its support for MK Moshe Gafne’s mikve bill, which seeks to undermine the Supreme Court ruling favoring the Reform Movement, it now appears that support is not a sure thing. In addition, MK (Kulanu) Rachel Azariya has announced her coalition member party will not back the bill unless its conditions are met. From Gafne’s point of view, which is shared by his party and possibly Shas, if the bill does not pass the coalition will break apart and new elections will be scheduled.

Azariya wants guarantees that the wording of the bill is such that it will not adversely impact tevila today, including Orthodox women who prefer to do so without a balanit present. She feels the current wording of the bill is unacceptable and Gafne will have to amend it to meet the demands of all coalition members or the bill will not continue moving along after passing its preliminary reading in Knesset. The current version of the bill was approved by the Ministerial Law Committee on Sunday, 3 Adar-II.

Adding to Gafne’s woes is the fact that MK (Bayit Yehudi) Shuli Muallem, who heads her party’s faction in Knesset, has announced she too will not back the bill until demands are met. She echoes the words of Azariya, explaining as a religious person and one at the forefront of the battle for women, the bill must not compromise the rights enjoyed today as a result of modifications set into place during the last Knesset when Bayit Yehudi controlled the Ministry of Religious Services. This includes women toiveling without the presence of the balanit. She stated that her party will break apart the coalition over this matter too. Other changes that were made during Bayit Yehudi’s tenure in the Religious Services Ministry include a woman’s right to request to toivel without having to explain if she is married or single.

She emphasized her party’s willingness to back the Gafne bill, but this is contingent on the wording. In addition, Muallem is demanding the establishment of a hotline for women, permitting them to file complaints pertaining to the conduct of mikve women (balaniot). Muallem insists if these demands are not met, she will oppose the bill as will her party.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)