Internal dispute in Yamina: Shortly after MK Matan Kahane expressed opposition to Interior Minister Aryeh Deri's proposed state conversion law, National Union Chairman MK Bezalel Smotrich actually expressed support.
Yesterday, Interior Minister Aryeh Deri appealed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, requesting that he promote the enactment of a new conversion law - which would only recognize state conversions.
Deri submitted to Netanyahu a legal memorandum that would effectively block all private conversions in Israel - including those of ultra-Orthodox courts such as the court of Rabbi Karelitz in Bnei Brak and the 'Eda' in Jerusalem.
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""I support Minister Deri in his demand to enact the state conversion law," said Smotrich. "Conversion is a national halakhic matter that concerns our very existence as a people. Therefore, it must be done in a state-wide manner by the Chief Rabbinate, founded by Rabbi Kook zt"l, in order to preserve the unity of the people and the Jewishness of the state.".
Smotrich added: "We will support a bill that will regulate the state status of conversion as taught by the majority of Israeli rabbis. It is possible and necessary to improve, make accessible, and bring converts closer together in the conversion process without throwing the baby out with the bathwater and breaking through the state halachic framework that preserves the unity of the people.".
Smotrich emphasized: "We will not accept proposals for conversion reform that include the expropriation of the highest halachic authority in conversion from the Chief Rabbinate and the recognition of Reform and Conservative conversions. This is the right way to deal with assimilation and strengthen the unity of the Jewish people.".
Earlier this morning, MK Matan Kahana attacked the initiative: "The meaning of Deri's words is a complete and final standstill on the issue of conversion and the cancellation of Moshe Nissim's outline, which the great rabbis of religious Zionism relied on. The State of Israel needs a state conversion law, but one that brings relief and a way out for hundreds of thousands of Israeli citizens and does not block the gateway to Judaism for those who desire it. He who is stricter about conversion - makes assimilation easier.".
