Democracy & Rights

Democracy & Rights

Featured Story

Is the Orthodox Halacha in the USA different than it is in Israel?

Is the Orthodox Halacha in the USA different than it is in Israel?

07/06/2023 12:03

The Halacha is the Halacha is the Halacha!

Full Story »


More Stories

From the Legal Trenches

From the Legal Trenches

23/05/2023 12:13

1. Freedom of Marriage: In the last newsletter we reported on Hiddush’s legal breakthrough, which brought Israel closer than ever before to realizing freedom of marriage.

What Does the Public Really Think About Religion and State in Israel?

What Does the Public Really Think About Religion and State in Israel?

23/04/2023 14:31

Since its establishment in 2009, Hiddush has published a unique annual report called the "Religion and State Index", which is based on a comprehensive survey and a large representative sample of the adult Jewish public in Israel. Its findings, which are published every year just before Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year [you can find the 2022 index report here], have been demonstrating for years that the politicians' cynical statements about the public's support for the "status quo" on matters of religion and state (and especially the false declarations by the speakers of the current coalition that the results of the last elections prove the public's preference for a traditional and religious country ) are completely baseless. A large and consistent majority expresses support for the principle of freedom of religion and conscience guaranteed in the Declaration of Independence and its opposition to every element of religious coercion and excess privileges granted to the ultra-Orthodox sector.



Between Freedom and Independence

Between Freedom and Independence

23/04/2023 11:30

We have just concluded the celebration of Passover, the Festival of Freedom, and next week we will celebrate Israeli Independence Day. Both holidays have an added special meaning this year. The festival of freedom reminds us that freedom is not granted without a struggle, and Independence Day heightens our awareness that independence gained by blood 75 years ago is likewise not to be taken for granted nor guaranteed forever.

“Who is a Jew” is Back!

“Who is a Jew” is Back!

02/12/2022 00:10

In recent days, there have been reports in the media from the coalition negotiation rooms that the Likud has accepted the demand of the ultra-Orthodox parties to change the law in a way that will prevent those who converted in Israel outside the Chief Rabbinate from receiving recognition as Jews, even at the civil level. This is not only a change to a long-standing ruling recognizing Reform and Conservative conversions in Israel, but also a step that is directed against Modern Orthodox conversions from the past few years, which are aimed at facilitating conversions of immigrants from the former Soviet Union.

North American lawyers address the new government

North American lawyers address the new government

Uri Regev 30/11/2022 01:00

On November 30, JPLAN, a network of Jewish lawyers, judges and legal scholars from North America (the Jewish Pluralism Legal Action Network, which works to strengthen Israel’s identity as a Jewish and democratic state in a manner that fully expresses freedom of religion and equality as promised in Israel’s Declaration of Independence) addressed the leaders of the parties currently working to form the new government.

From the Legal Trenches

From the Legal Trenches

29/11/2022 00:38

The fight to advance freedom of marriage was crowned with yet another victory last week. A Supreme Court Justice, Prof. Dafna Barak-Erez, rejected the state's request to postpone implementation of the ruling by the administrative court in Jerusalem on "Utah marriages" (civil marriages of Israelis performed in Utah, USA, by video).

Court Rules: Israeli Couples Married via

Court Rules: Israeli Couples Married via "Utah Marriage" to be registered

30/09/2022 10:41

The Administrative Court in Jerusalem ruled in favor of a petition filed by the NGO Hiddush - for Religious Freedom and Equality, directing the Population Authority and the Ministry of the Interior to register as married any couple that gets married via "Utah marriage” (A marriage platform created by Utah County, Utah, USA. Marriages are conducted via video conferencing with a marriage officiant in Utah and which can take place even if both spouses are in Israel or elsewhere in the world).

Religious Discrimination in Allocation of Municipal Funds

Religious Discrimination in Allocation of Municipal Funds

08/09/2022 23:18

Over the past 5 years the Jerusalem municipality has allocated NIS 100 million to religious institutions - and not even one shekel of this sum was allocated for Christian and Muslim communities or liberal strands of Judaism.

Israel’s Supreme Court Under Threat

Israel’s Supreme Court Under Threat

Uri Regev 08/09/2022 21:15

The future of Israel’s Judiciary, its independence and authority, and the rule of law have been threatened for some time, and are especially challenged at the present time, as Israel prepares for its fifth round of elections in the last three years.

Where Does the Israeli Public Stand?

Where Does the Israeli Public Stand?

Uri Regev 19/08/2022 01:26

Where does the Jewish Israeli public stand on the controversial issues of religion and state? We will soon publish Hiddush’s annual Religion and State Index, which provides a comprehensive overview of the many topics included in this broad category. But in the meantime, we conducted a survey more limited in scope, on two key questions that are on the public and political agenda.

In the Legal Trenches

In the Legal Trenches

18/08/2022 20:23

As the conclusion of the court’s summer recess approaches, we are preparing to renew litigation next month.

The Elephant politicians aren't talking about

The Elephant politicians aren't talking about

Uri Regev 02/08/2022 00:20

It has now become increasingly apparent that that whoever is going to serve as Israel's next prime minister aspires to include the Haredi parties in his Coalition.

Utah Weddings - Potential Breakthrough

Utah Weddings - Potential Breakthrough

01/08/2022 22:52

In a precedent-setting decision, the Lod District Court ruled earlier this month that civil marriages performed via Zoom under foreign auspices for couples in Israel will be inscribed in Israel’s Population Registry.

"The Court Against the Torah!" – Really?!

Uri Regev 14/07/2022 22:18

The Lod Administrative Court released a ruling this week that has far-reaching consequences for issues of religion and state, and which opens a significant window of opportunity for freedom of marriage for Israelis.

The Women of the Wall want to destroy the Holy of Holies?! Really?!

The Women of the Wall want to destroy the Holy of Holies?! Really?!

14/07/2022 21:07

Likud MK Miri Regev's campaign clip illustrates the willingness to embrace ultra-Orthodox doctrines which conflict with the foundations of Western democracy, and which are contrary to the will of the majority of the public who seek to advance freedom of religion and conscience in Israel.

Take Action!

Go to Top ^