Lieberman threatens: If the Rabbinate does not recognize the rebels - we will advance the Tzohar Law

August 24, 2015   

Yisrael Beiteinu Party Chairman, MK Avigdor Lieberman, met today (Monday) with Rabbi David Stav, Chairman of the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization. During the meeting, the two discussed ways to advance the operation of the alternative conversion courts that were established as a rebellion against the Chief Rabbinate. Lieberman and Rabbi Stav agreed that the Yisrael Beiteinu Party will work with the relevant elements in the government and with the Chief Rabbinate, in order to find a way that will allow the alternative courts to operate, while the state recognizes the conversions that will be carried out in them. MK Lieberman said that he will also work on the issue with the Chairman of the Jewish Agency, Natan Sharansky, so that these courts will also operate in cooperation with the Agency. It was also agreed at the meeting that if these steps taken by Lieberman do not result in regulating the work of the courts and recognizing conversions, Yisrael Beiteinu will resubmit the Tzohar Law, which was thwarted with the formation of the new government on By the ultra-Orthodox rabbis - to allow Israeli citizens who are interested to "convert in a proper and respectful manner and gain the state's recognition of their Judaism," according to the party's statement.