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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Separate but equal in Israel? Why should this be considered okay?

Separate but equal in Israel? Why should this be considered okay?

Uri Regev 16/06/2016 23:44

Serious questions should arise, regarding the ongoing challenge of equal rights and access for the non-Orthodox movements Israel, which continues to follow the path of this unconstitutional principle of "separate but equal."

Israel's ritual bath controversy

Israel's ritual bath controversy

Uri Regev 16/06/2016 23:00

Unsurprisingly, though extremely disappointingly, MK Gafni's partners in the Coalition Government have all bowed to his demands, and are supporting his legislative initiative to undo the landmark Supreme Court ruling on mikva'ot.

Support for same-sex marriage/civil unions - record high of 76%!

Support for same-sex marriage/civil unions - record high of 76%!

01/06/2016 11:30

80% of the Jewish Israeli public supports giving married LGBTQ couples all or most of the same rights and privileges as heterosexual married couples. Hiddush CEO Rabbi Regev: "These results - yet another reason for pride during Pride Month, but the legal and political reality is shameful."

Politics casts shadow over encouraging legal progress & public opinion

Politics casts shadow over encouraging legal progress & public opinion

Uri Regev 26/05/2016 12:07

Hiddush derives encouragement from developments on the fronts of public opinion and the legal arena, but on the political scene, the news is more bleak than encouraging when it comes to issues of religious freedom & equality.

A Missed Opportunity to Support Secular Life in Israel

A Missed Opportunity to Support Secular Life in Israel

06/05/2016 13:44

The rabbinate sees itself as waging a culture war, and it has been winning. Since the state’s founding rabbinic power thwarts the development of a secular conception of citizenship. Hiddush polled Israeli Jews and found that 71% support the freedom to marry and divorce independent of the Orthodox rabbinate.

Landmark conversions ruling is a victory for religious freedom in Israel

Landmark conversions ruling is a victory for religious freedom in Israel

Uri Regev 10/04/2016 16:33

The Israeli Supreme Court’s recent landmark ruling on conversion represents another blow to the Israeli Chief Rabbinate’s monopoly on religious affairs; it strengthens a pluralistic approach to Judaism; and it upholds the principles of religious freedom and the rule of law.

Updates: the Kotel agreement & Supreme Court mikva'ot ruling

Updates: the Kotel agreement & Supreme Court mikva'ot ruling

Uri Regev 21/03/2016 14:39

In the last week, there have been a number of developments in the ultra-Orthodox political and rabbinical leadership's battle against the implementation of the Kotel agreement, as well as their battle against the Supreme Court's ruling to make Israel's public mikva'ot available for non-Orthodox conversion ceremonies.

Israel pushed towards theocracy

Israel pushed towards theocracy

Uri Regev 15/03/2016 21:36

Minister Rabbi Litzman: "Netanyahu either loves the Reform Jews of the Diaspora, or the Haredim of Israel; it's either-or. There are no two ways about it... The Supreme Court is destroying everything good related to religion & state, and... the only way to stand against it is by passing legislation."

Will the Pew Israel Report Open our Eyes?

Will the Pew Israel Report Open our Eyes?

Uri Regev 10/03/2016 14:41

Rabbi Uri Regev presents his first impressions of the 2016 Pew report on Israel's Religiously Divided Society. His intimate familiarity with the subject matter and the population surveyed provide him a unique prism, which served him in assessing the report.

The Kotel Agreement – Multiple Perspectives

The Kotel Agreement – Multiple Perspectives

Uri Regev 24/02/2016 15:25

The picture that emerges now is fuller and more complex. On the side of those involved in reaching the agreement, additional perspectives have been emerging. Below, we will attempt to organize the primary views and arguments that were heard following the agreement, both pro, con, and those in-between.

Landmark ruling to allow non-Orthodox converts access to all mikva’ot

Landmark ruling to allow non-Orthodox converts access to all mikva’ot

Uri Regev 23/02/2016 11:01

A new front, far more vicious and perilous, has emerged. The Chief Rabbinate and ultra-Orthodox politicians are gearing up to prevent the implementation of this ruling to further undermine the Supreme Court and demonize the non-Orthodox movements.

71% of Israeli Jews: Rabbinate's monopoly distances Jews from Judaism

71% of Israeli Jews: Rabbinate's monopoly distances Jews from Judaism

14/02/2016 16:54

Not only is the denial of the freedom to marry antithetical to core democratic principles, but it also undermines Jewish interests. 71% of the Israeli Jewish public maintain that the Chief Rabbinate's and the rabbinical courts' monopoly over marriage and divorce distances Jews from Judaism.

After Kotel compromise, dramatic changes still needed

After Kotel compromise, dramatic changes still needed

Uri Regev 03/02/2016 10:50

The progress made over the Kotel should convince communal leaders that we need to further engage in the religion-state clash, and that Israelis need support in advancing the Jewish state’s own core founding principles of religious freedom and equality for all.

Is the Kotel Deal Merely a Fig Leaf For Rabbinic Tyranny?

Is the Kotel Deal Merely a Fig Leaf For Rabbinic Tyranny?

Uri Regev 02/02/2016 09:29

The historic Kotel Agreement represents laudable progress in Israel’s stormy sea of religion, state and politics, but it is important to remember that the issue of prayer at the Kotel is only one of many in the arena of ​​religious freedom. We do not have the luxury of sitting back and relishing this.

How to most effectively advocate for religious freedom and equality in Israel

How to most effectively advocate for religious freedom and equality in Israel

Uri Regev 26/01/2016 15:41

What advocacy strategy should supporters of religious freedom in Israel pursue? How should we set our policy priorities? How meaningful are Prime Minister Netanyahu's promises to Diaspora Jewry?

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