MK Moshe Gafne has initiated his so-called mikve bill to circumvent a recent High Court Ruling. The High Court has ordered the Beersheva Religious Council to permit a Reform convert toivel in a state-run mikve in the presence of a Reform beis din.

Gafne’s bill would prohibit any convert from toiveling in any mikve run by the state anywhere in Israel, including Orthodox conversions. By including frum converts the bill shows there is no hint of discrimination and the bill effectively neutralizes the High Court ruling.

According to a Channel 2 News report, Attorney General Dr. Avichai Mandelblit has stated if the bill is passed into law, and challenged in the High Court, he would not be able to defend it. Mandelblit will be releasing his official legal opinion on the bill, but based on the report, in its current state, it is legally problematic.

The bill has already passed a preliminary reading in Knesset but face challenges from MK Rachel Azariya and the Kulanu party, for she explains the current wording of the bill is unacceptable. Without the support of Kulanu and its ten votes, the bill is unlikely to pass into law. MK Shuli Muallem of Bayit Yehudi has also stated she will not vote for the bill as it is worded and her party will also back her opposition.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)