Finance Minister Yair Lapid: Israel cannot be the only western country without religious freedom

The Israeli Finance Minister spoke at the Israeli Reform Movement's 50th Anniversary and renewed his commitment to religious freedom and denominational equality.

01/06/2014 15:35

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The Minister of Finance Yair Lapid at the Knesset gathering where the State's budget was approved in the second and third reading, for the years 2013 - 2014 (b). 29-07-2013. Photo: Flash 90

While speaking at the 50th anniversary of the Israeli Movement for Progressive Judaism, Israeli Finance Minister Yair Lapid expressed strong support for equality among Jewish denominations in Israel. He also emphasized the dire need to break the ultra-Orthodox Chief Rabbinate's monopoly over marriage, divorce, conversion and other areas of personal status in Israel. This is not the first time the Finance Minister has expressed such clear support for freedom of religion and equality; he has made similar statements at previous gatherings of the Reform and Conservative movements in Israel, even before his political career took shape.

During his remarks at the conference, Minister Lapid said, "Judaism is a combination between tradition and morality, between the past and renewal, between the love of God and the love of humanity. The battle we are embarking on for equality amongst Jewish denominations in Israel is a result of this worldview and recognizes that it is absolutely out of the question for Israel to be the only state in the western world that does not grant full freedom of religion for Jews."

"There must be equality between Jewish denominations- in conversion, marriage, divorce, budget allotments, and in access to holy sites. The State must recognize the right of every Jewish person to pray to God and live their lives according to how they understand it."

The Orthodox news site, Kooker reported that according to the Finance Minister, most Israelis are interested in a pluralistic, reasonable, and welcoming Judaism. "Practically speaking, most Israelis are Reform and Conservative, they just don’t realize that about themselves," he said. "I am always asked what I am- Reform? Conservative? Completely Secular? The answer is that I'm waiting for the Israeli synagogue to be built; one that we all need to build together and we can all come through its gates."

The Post, an Israeli news site, reported that Minister Lapid emphasized, "there must be equality between Jewish denominations- in conversion, marriage, divorce, budget allotments, and in access to holy sites. The State must recognize the right of every Jewish person to pray to God and live their lives according to how they understand it. The attempt to implement these principles is an ongoing war."

The Finance Minister also referred to the ultra-Orthodox parties in his speech. "The creation of a government coalition without the ultra-Orthodox parties allowed us to require the "Maayan Hachinuch" educational network of schools run by the Sefardic ultra-Orthodox party Shas to include core curricular studies in all of their schools." He additionally mentioned other issues of religion and state that his party, Yesh Atid, has promoted since the 2013 elections.

Yair Lapid's statements in support of freedom of religion and equality are also representative of Israeli public opinion. According to Hiddush's latest Religion and State Index, released in September 2013, a majority of Israelis support freedom of religion and equal recognition of all major Jewish denominations and their rabbis. Additionally, close to two-thirds (64%) of Israeli Jews supported the formation of a government coalition without ultra-Orthodox parties, as the Finance Minister mentioned in his remarks.