Anti-Religious Lieberman Seeks To Close Religious Councils, Transfer Power To Local Councils

13
Israel Beitenu Chairman Avigdor Liberman. Photo by Hadas Parush/Flash90

JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Despite the tottering Israeli government lacking a majority in the Knesset, Finance Minister Lieberman is still looking for ways to harm the religious establishment in Israel.

Join our WhatsApp group

Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email


B’Chadrei reports that in the coming budgetary legislation, Lieberman intends to submit a bill calling for a transfer of all religious authority in towns to the local councils. The meaning of this would be the possible closure of the religious councils currently responsible for all aspects of religious life and the transfer of authority to the local councils- which in many cases are not headed by religious people.

The new bill would authorize the Religious Affairs minister to transfer all aspects of religion to the local authority as opposed to the current system where religious councils are autonomous and are not subordinate to local authorities. In cities with anti-religious or non-religious mayors the new bill could bring untold harm in the realms of kashrus, mikves, cemeteries and other aspects of religious life.

In explaining the bill, the Finance Ministry states specifically that “the decision would allow local authorities full control over religious activities provided to residents.”

The Shas party would be heavily affected by such a bill since many of its activists serve in the religious councils.

Religious Affairs Deputy Minister Matan Kahane opposed the new initiative. In a response to the publication of the bill, Kahane stated that “the deputy minister of Religious Affairs is constantly working to improve religious services in Israel. The draft version of the budget was not coordinated with the ministry and is unacceptable to the deputy minister. The entire goal of closing religious councils to save money is wrong and will harm religious services.”

 


Listen to the VINnews podcast on:

iTunes | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Podbean | Amazon

Follow VINnews for Breaking News Updates


Connect with VINnews

Join our WhatsApp group


13 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
5TResident
5TResident
1 year ago

I remember how shocked I was, during my first trip to Eretz Yisroel in 1984, to learn that there were Jews in Israel who didn’t keep Shabbos or kosher and that many restaurants weren’t kosher. I couldn’t believe it – how could Jews in Israel not be frum? To be honest, I still shake my head many years later. What’s the point of being in Eretz Yisroel if you’re not going to keep the mitzvos?

Methuselah was my younger brother
Methuselah was my younger brother
1 year ago

We have this illusion that pre ww2 and before all Jews In Europe sat and learned and were frum but it wasn’t true there are more people learning Torah living frum Torah values lives in America then in Europe at any time
Just remember hitler didn’t kill only frie yidden grimmer yidden got burnt as well a yid is a yid. Except Leiberman may his life be short and painful

Brandon
Brandon
1 year ago

Lieberman is quintessential erev rav.

Sol L
Sol L
1 year ago

Why are people so shocked? He and others in this government and previous governments have done much worse things! Lieberman go back from where you come from.

Grow up
Grow up
1 year ago

Because you live in your own world of illusions