Democracy & Rights

Democracy & Rights

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“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.

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Chief Rabbinate once again seeks out Non-kosher Jews

Chief Rabbinate once again seeks out Non-kosher Jews

25/02/2018 15:19

Rabbi Uri Regev was interviewed by the Israeli Russian language news portal “Detaly” on the matter of the Chief Rabbinate’s recently uncovered initiative to enshrine in law its right to compile a list of persons whose Jewish statuses are doubtful by its standards.

The storm is rising

The storm is rising

Uri Regev 15/02/2018 21:52

It seems that matters of ethics and the moral, appropriate behavior of Israel’s political leadership (in which the ancient prophets of Israel showed great interest), don't interest the Haredi parties, nor require taking a stand from the perspective of the leaders of parties that claim to represent authentic Judaism.

Thanks to Hiddush - a serious loophole closed

Thanks to Hiddush - a serious loophole closed

13/02/2018 11:17

Just this week, on Tuesday, following Hiddush's petition, the Knesset approved regulations that would, for the first time, put a halt to the mass phenomenon of false claims of religiosity aimed at receiving exemptions from military service. Thousands of young women are exempted from IDF service every year on the basis of false affidavits claiming that their religious lifestyles prevent them from serving in the army, even though they lead secular lives.

New polling reaffirms Hiddush finding.

New polling reaffirms Hiddush finding.

08/02/2018 13:11

The January 2018 issue of the monthly Peace Index, published jointly by Tel Aviv University and the Israel Democracy Institute, touches upon key confrontation points along the spectrum of religion-state issues on the public's and political class's minds at this time.

Haredi city council lays down law on modesty, gender separation

Haredi city council lays down law on modesty, gender separation

06/02/2018 10:49

An ultra-Orthodox municipality sent out a modesty rule book that prohibits men and women from traveling together or sitting near one another at work, rules out informal greetings such as “hello” and “goodbye,” and bans joking together or discussing issues not directly related to work.

A constitutional bill to define Torah study as a form of national service

A constitutional bill to define Torah study as a form of national service

Uri Regev 01/02/2018 21:28

Today's news sheds light on a new effort by the Haredi parties to permanently avoid requiring their adherents to equally shoulder the burden of national security.

Israeli couples are voting with their feet!

Israeli couples are voting with their feet!

Uri Regev 30/01/2018 21:41

The Ministry of Religious Services has now reported a 4% drop in the number of couples marrying via the Rabbinate from 2016 to 2017. (The decline is really greater, because they ignore the increase in the Jewish population). In Tel Aviv the decline is greater than 15%!!

The Knesset's pending vote on the Convenience Store Bill

The Knesset's pending vote on the Convenience Store Bill

02/01/2018 10:46

Hiddush sent all members of the Knesset the following report in advance of the Knesset vote on operating convenience stores on Shabbat in Israel. What does the public think of the Government's acquiescence to the ultra-Orthodox parties' demands to use legislative and policy channels in order to pass a law against operating local businesses on Shabbat?

72% of the Israeli public supports permitting work on Shabbat

72% of the Israeli public supports permitting work on Shabbat

25/12/2017 13:56

72% of the public opposes the dictates of the ultra-Orthodox parties and supports permitting work on Shabbat

An End-of-Year review for Hiddush

An End-of-Year review for Hiddush

Uri Regev 21/12/2017 12:54

With the end of the year approaching, we turn to you with a request to support the work of Hiddush and generously donate to us to enable us to expand and strengthen our advocacy work to promote freedom of religion and equality for all.

Thousands continue to receive IDF exemptions for false religious claims

Thousands continue to receive IDF exemptions for false religious claims

21/12/2017 12:10

Six years after the enactment of the law to establish an administrative process for revoking thousands of women's falsely obtained exemptions for having religious beliefs that conflict with IDF service, the process of approving the regulations to prevent such women from dodging the draft has not occurred, despite the continued phony claims of religious values.

Conversion compromise postponed - again.

Conversion compromise postponed - again.

Uri Regev 19/12/2017 11:16

Efforts to draft a compromise agreement between the Haredi political parties and the Reform and Conservative movements in Israel over the issue of Jewish conversion will not be finished before a six-month deadline arrives at the end of this month.

Mazal Tov from the Consul General of Israel in New York

Mazal Tov from the Consul General of Israel in New York

Uri Regev 14/12/2017 00:50

The New York Times reports that Consul General Dayan wrote: "it is no secret many members of the American Jewish community disagree with existing Israeli legislation on civil status issues... Ultimately the Israeli Knesset — elected democratically by the Israeli citizens — legislates.

Highlights from the 2017 Israel Democracy Index

Highlights from the 2017 Israel Democracy Index

14/12/2017 00:33

This week, the annual Israel Democracy Index was published by the Israel Democracy Institute, underlining that Israelis harbor deep distrust for their politicians, the media, and the Chief Rabbinate but are generally favorably inclined toward the courts and presidency.

63% Israelis not aware that Jews can only divorce via Chief Rabbinate

63% Israelis not aware that Jews can only divorce via Chief Rabbinate

10/12/2017 14:12

More than 700,000 Israeli citizens can not marry at all in Israel, but only 11% of the citizenry are aware of this. Sixty-three percent of the public is not aware that even couples who get married civilly abroad are required to get divorced via the Israeli Chief Rabbinate.

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