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The mixed bag of religion and state today

29/10/2021 01:02

As hoped, some positive recent developments can be pointed out in advancing pluralism in Israel's political arena. These are direct results of the existence of a coalition, in which several member parties hold worldviews that support religious freedom and equality... Or, at least, the dissolution of ultra-Orthodox control over key elements of the relationship between religion and the state; as well as the absence of the ultra-Orthodox parties from the government.

The Haredi vitriol: An ongoing saga

Uri Regev 14/10/2021 23:32

In the last newsletter, we wrote about “the obsession that characterizes the attitude of the ultra-Orthodox parties towards the non-Orthodox denominations in particular, and to freedom of religion and Jewish pluralism in general.”

Hiddush fighting for female appointees on religious councils

Uri Regev 30/09/2021 23:25

For many years, Hiddush has led the legal battle for women’s representation on Israel’s Religious Councils. Yesterday, we appeared before the Supreme Court in a hearing regarding the petition we filed on our behalf and on behalf of Israel’s leading women's organizations [Israel Women's Network, Naamat, Rackman Center for the Advancement of Women, and Itach - Women Lawyers for Social Justice], challenging the State’s non-compliance with the obligation to appoint women for the role of “Appointees”.

Will Jewish leadership continue looking the other way?

Uri Regev 04/08/2021 18:02

The world media, from Washington DC to Burkina Faso, French Guinea and the Arab world covered the phenomenon of the most prominent athlete in Israel today, who won a gold medal for the State of Israel and sweeping praise from the heads of state; but is not allowed by his country to marry his girlfriend because it placed the control of marriage in Israel in the hands of the Orthodox Chief Rabbinate.

Initiatives of the new government: “antisemitism”

Uri Regev 27/07/2021 21:53

The main issue on the agenda this week was a series of reforms of the kashrut system. The Minister of Religious Services, Matan Kahana, is trying to promote them, intending to increase competition in the provision of kosher supervision services, while preserving the Orthodox monopoly over kashrut certification.

Landmark Supreme Court Religion-State Rulings

Uri Regev 15/07/2021 12:55

This week, the Supreme Court handed down two landmark rulings on cases in the arena of religion and state, which have been pending for years. Once announced, they generated the expected outpouring of reactions.

Hiddush in the legal trenches

Uri Regev 14/07/2021 00:34

Hiddush has initiated legal action in two instances of abuse by Haredi outreach operations infringing upon the rights and lives of residents of neighboring buildings.

MK Rabbi Kariv and Reform Judaism – like pigs

Uri Regev 01/07/2021 23:30

The political discourse has descended to new lows this week. United Torah Judaism MK Meir Porush likened Reform Jews and Labor MK Gilad Kariv, a Reform rabbi, to pigs. He spoke in reaction to the appointment of Kariv as chairman of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee.

Religion, State, and the New Government

Uri Regev 17/06/2021 01:39

Writing about this subject raises the known question as to what we should be looking at: the half-full cup, or the half-empty cup?

What else is important RE: the Meron tragedy investigation?

Uri Regev 03/06/2021 22:46

The political and rabbinical ultra-Orthodox leadership are still preventing the appointment of a state investigation commission. Their objections are anchored, to a great degree, in an offhand rejection of the legitimacy of the civil judicial system in general and of the Supreme Justices in particular, as we have repeatedly outlined here.