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“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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This week: just the latest in religious discrimination

Uri Regev 07/09/2017 16:02

Next week, Hiddush's annual Israel Religion & State Index will be published, and it will become clear just how much the gap between the public's will and the policies of Israel's elected official's has increased.

‘Game Of Chicken’ On Kotel Deal

07/09/2017 15:48

Despite high court’s deadline, few expect egalitarian prayer pact to be implemented anytime soon.

Justice Baron: Discriminatory laws should not be preserved indefinitely

01/09/2017 17:33

The High Court of Justice announced its ruling rejecting a petition submitted by same-sex couples to order the state to allow them and couples like them to marry in Israel. This came is no great surprise.

Comprehensive interview with Rabbi Shlomo Riskin in Israeli media

Uri Regev 29/08/2017 14:34

A recent detailed interview with Rabbi Shlomo Riskin appeared in the original Hebrew in Makor Rishon, with select paragraphs translated into English below.

U.S. State Department releases International Religious Freedom Report

23/08/2017 00:09

The US State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report for 2016, released last week, diplomatically pans the lack of progress by the Israeli government toward increased religious freedom.

Netanyahu taps ex-justice minister to review conversion policy

17/08/2017 15:27

Moshe Nissim, 82, a former chief rabbi’s son, will work to ensure ‘Jewish unity’ in studying controversial bill

FAKE NEWS? LIBA declares 71% Israelis prefer to marry via Rabbinate!

Uri Regev 17/08/2017 13:09

The LIBA Center, which proclaims to be "dedicated to strengthening the Jewish Character of the State of Israel" once again demonstrated how to mislead the public by means of statistics.

Does Shas leader Aryeh Deri promote religious freedom?

Uri Regev 27/07/2017 00:12

This week Shas leader and Interior Minister Rabbi Aryeh Deri turned to Israel's Attorney General, demanding that the mandatory guidelines regarding the exclusion of women in the public sphere be suspended and reconsidered.

Labor Party Chairman: Accept Reform Conversions!

27/07/2017 00:05

Newly elected Labor Party Chairman Avi Gabbay has come out strongly in favor of religious freedom on issues ranging from education, to public transportation on Shabbat, and to marriage & divorce. More recently, he's expressed support for the official state recognition of Reform conversions.

The Chief Rabbinate's recently divulged "blacklist"

13/07/2017 13:59

If the Israeli government's recent suspension of the Kotel compromise and push for a restrictive conversion bill were not enough, Israel and the Jewish world woke up this week to yet a newly leaked "blacklist" created by Israel's Chief Rabbinate.

Two-thirds Israelis oppose government Kotel and Conversion decisions

29/06/2017 14:03

These Hiddush survey findings prove how far the government has swerved away from the public will and the needs of the State of Israel. Instead, the government leaders act as puppets whose strings are being pulled by the anti-Zionist, ultra-Orthodox political parties.

Politicians who degrade the Diaspora shouldn't seek support in its communities

Uri Regev 29/06/2017 00:30

If you weren't on Mars this week, there is high likelihood that you are aware of the fierce storms engulfing Israel and world Jewry under the blazing summer sun. Every self-respecting Jewish organization issued a statement, and the language ranged from dismay to deplore, although most were lacking when it came to taking action.

Three battle fronts: The Kotel, Conversion, and Shabbat

Uri Regev 26/06/2017 19:47

Israel's religion and state conflict is viewed as a key component of shaping Israel's path. Recent days have provided us with a good cross section of the scope, depth, motivations, impact, and potential consequences of this ongoing saga.

Secular military funerals permitted for first time ever

25/06/2017 17:26

Following Hiddush's demands: the IDF regulations regarding the burial of fallen soldiers have been changed. It is now possible to hold a military funeral without religious contents in a military cemetery and - secular military funerals in civil cemeteries.

Support for same-sex marriage/civil unions - record high of 79%!

08/06/2017 14:43

47% of Zionist Orthodox Israelis and 65% of voters for the Zionist Orthodox Jewish Home party support the establishment of same-sex marriage or civil unions in Israel.