It is now official after the Knesset meeting in special session earlier in the week approved extending the terms of Israel’s chief rabbis until following national elections. As expected, lawmakers extended their 10-year terms for three months, sufficient time for elections and establishing a coalition government.

The current term expires on March 24, 2013 but lawmakers did not want to enter into these elections as they are preoccupied with national elections.

Efforts by the נאמני תורה ועבודה organization, which appealed to Justice Minister Professor Yaakov Ne’eman to hold elections in a timely fashion were unsuccessful.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)