Israeli Cabinet reverses policy easing conversion to Judaism
The move tightens the grip of ultra-Orthodox parties over religious issues in Israel
Israel’s Cabinet has reversed an initiative aimed at easing the conversion process to Judaism in Israel.
Sunday’s move tightens the grip of ultra-Orthodox parties over religious issues in Israel and rolls back reforms made by the previous government.
The new coalition formed earlier this year is dominated by nationalist and religious parties.
The bill helped smooth the conversion path for tens of thousands, many immigrants from the former Soviet Union, who don’t qualify under rules of Jewish law and have trouble marrying or receiving other religious services.
Former Soviet dissident Natan Sharansky, chairman of the Jewish Agency that helps oversee immigration, said it’s unacceptable that “a matter so vital to the future of the Jewish people and to Israel’s existence as a Jewish state” can be canceled.
Also Read
-
‘Killing Arabs’ message sparks outrage against promoted tweets
Online users were angered by a tweet that read: “My fellow Jews the time to start killing Arabs is NOW” Digital -
Jews, Muslims hold prayer sessions throughout LA
Los Angeles witnessed an unusual act of worship earlier this month week that brought together men and women, Muslim and Jewish, in prayer in several ... Reports -
Israel warns of terror attack threat against Jews in Tunisia
Israel claims it has 'concrete threats' of terror attacks against Jews in Tunisia World News -
Hollande: Jews have ‘their place in Europe and especially France’
Hollande's comments were an apparent retort to Israel’s prime minister who urged Jews to move to Israel after attacks on a synagogue in Copenhagen World News -
Danish Jews rebuff Israeli PM’s call to emigrate to Israel
Jewish communities around Europe have been reporting rising hostility against them World News -
EU faces ‘huge challenge’ to reassure Jews about future in Europe
In Brussels last year, a lone gunman killed four four people at the Jewish museum World News -
Netanyahu to French Jews after attacks: ‘Israel is your home’
‘Israel is not just the place in whose direction you pray, the state of Israel is your home,’ he said, addressing French Jews Middle East -
Swedish FM calls off visit to Israel following Lieberman’s remarks
Wallstrom was meant to arrive in Israel mid-January to take part in a memorial service for a Swedish diplomat who sheltered Jews during WWII Middle East
