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25th Knesset · outgoing

Chief Rabbinate of Israel Law (Amendment – Public Representation in the Electoral Assembly) Bill

Translated from Hebrew: הצעת חוק הרבנות הראשית לישראל (תיקון - ייצוג הציבור באסיפה הבוחרת)

TL;DRThe bill changes the composition of the electoral assembly that chooses the chief rabbis: increasing the assembly from 120 to 150 members and canceling the direct representation of 70 public representatives.

Translated from Hebrew

What does the bill do?

The bill changes the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Law to broaden public representation in the electoral assembly that chooses the chief rabbis. The main changes include: increasing the number of assembly members from 120 to 150, changing the structure of representation by adding representatives from local rabbinates, regional councils, and representatives of students, workers and the labor federations, and canceling the direct representation of 70 public representatives. In addition, the bill changes the eligibility requirements for the position of President of the Great Rabbinical Court by requiring previous experience as a rabbinical judge.

Rejected at preliminary readingFirst plenum vote: July 12, 2023

The votes on this bill

Rejected33 for · 53 against · 3 abstained · 31 did not vote
Source: the Knesset's vote record ↗

Coalition 64 seats

LikudAgainst 24 · Absent 8
ShasAgainst 9 · Absent 2
Religious ZionismAgainst 6 · Absent 1
Otzma YehuditAgainst 6
NoamAgainst 1

Opposition 56 seats

Yesh AtidFor 19 · Absent 5
Ra'amAbstained 2 · Absent 3
Hadash–Ta'alAbstained 1 · Absent 4
LaborAbsent 4

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