On the backdrop of recent tensions with Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified Sunday morning that he is against the controversial conversion bill initiated by Lieberman’s Yisrael Beiteinu faction, which he said would ‘create a rift among the Jewish people.”

At the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, the prime minister reprimanded Minister for Minority Affairs Avishay Braverman (Labor) after the latter asked to make a personal announcement on the matter, and then surprised the minister by saying he opposed the conversion bill.

“The bill will not pass,” Netanyahu said. “Nonetheless, you cannot use the personal announcement procedure to instill your personal agenda,” he told Braverman.

Despite being scolded by the prime minister, Braverman insisted that he was entitled to raise the issue at the start of the cabinet meeting. “This thing must not be allowed to pass,” the minister said ahead of Monday’s Knesset vote. “It must be terminated by the government. The Knesset must not be allowed to discuss it. The bill must be pulled and the vote must be prevented.”

He expressed his fear that the prime minister will capitulate due to the recent crisis with Lieberman over the state budget and allow the conversion law – led by the foreign minister and the haredi factions – pass the Knesset vote.

“My concern is that Netanyahu will try to please Lieberman with a compromise on this law. This is a bad law, a delusional law,” Braverman said.

An official at the Prime Minister’s Office clarified that Netanyahu opposed the conversion bill and that it would not be adopted by the Knesset.

“The prime minister told the cabinet meeting this morning that he would oppose the proposed conversion legislation, which could create a rift among the Jewish people. Efforts will be made to reach an agreement to pull the bill, but if it is not pulled Netanyahu will ask Likud members and other coalition factions to vote against it.”

During the cabinet meeting, Netanyahu discussed the immigration regulations the government was slated to discuss. “This is a national issue of top priority, which carries demographic and humanitarian aspects. We are the only Western country without an immigration policy,” he said.

“The main idea is to adjust the conditions for entering Israel to our security-related interests and maintaining Israel’s Jewish and democratic nature,” the prime minister added.

(Source: Ynet)