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Home , Aliza Lavie, Bezalel Smotrich, Dov Khenin, Elazar Stern, Kulanu, Meir Porush

Summary Report of the 20th Religion and State Jewish Pluralism Watch

Over the last four years, the Knesset was home remaining laws reinforced religious centralization to a particularly dramatic interplay of religion and restrictiveness. and state. Legislators backtracked from the few steps towards religious freedom made in the In this report, we delve into the budgets channeled previous Knesset, consistently sanctioning laws towards religious services, consider the 20th Knesset ’s to strengthen the Orthodox monopoly over legacy, and identify the principal activities of each religion in while rejecting hundreds of bills of the parties. We also review some 130 milestones that sought to endorse a degree of pluralism and from this Knesset’s first day until its dissolution. religious equality. We sincerely hope that the information gathered In the following report we have sought to paint a here will be used as a resource in the efforts to build portrait of the 20th Knesset, led by the most right- a Knesset committed to the religious freedom that wing and most religious coalition government the Israeli public wants and needs. This tool should in Israel’s history. Of the 326 religion-and-state- be utilized by asking questions and demanding related bills that were introduced in the Knesset- accountability throughout the election season in three-quarters of which aimed to promote order to strengthen the fundamental aspiration religious freedom-- only seventeen were passed that Israel be a Jewish and democratic state. into law. Of those which passed, a mere three sought to advance religious freedom while the Download the full interactive report in Hebrew 2 Summary Report of the 20th Knesset

SUMMARY OF THE REPORT The 20th Knesset enacted 623 bills into law led with an average of 7.2 bills per Knesset (approximately a tenth of all bills – 6,643), with only member. , and , on the other hand, 326 of these bills addressing religion and state. Of introduced the least amount of bills in this area. these, just seventeen bills passed their second and Among lawmakers, MK introduced third readings, with almost all of them (thirteen) the most bills on issues of religion and state, with advancing and strengthening the Orthodox 27, followed by MK Aliza Lavie and MK monopoly of religious centralization and coercion with 23 and 17 bills, respectively. in Israel. The issue of Shabbat played a significant part in A breakdown of the total of 326 bills concerning the 20th Knesset and almost led to its dissolution religion and state shows that 24% (79) dealt with several times. Minister of Health religious services in Israel (religious councils, ritual resigned in protest of the work on the Israel baths, burial, kashrut, municipal ), 17% (55) Railways infrastructure on Shabbat, and then dealt with marriage and divorce, 13% (42) with together with others pushed forward the so-called equal rights for the LGBT community, and 12% Supermarket Law (seeking to close supermarkets of the bills (38) sought to define the nature of and other food businesses on Shabbat). The issues Shabbat. Two bills regarding military conscription of public transportation and athletic competitions were introduced to the Knesset. on Shabbat also precipitated political disputes, The introduced a record number of government decisions and various bills. Dozens of bills (80 concerning religion and state, followed bills on these topics introduced by parties across the by Yesh with 71 bills and Meretz with 36 were dropped from the Knesset bills. Relative to the number of MKs in the faction, agenda during the 20th Knesset, while three new

The 20th Knesset TIMELINE meet to discuss . 5.7.2015 The government repeals Minister Azoulay: “The Wall belongs the conversion reform law, and also th 21.3.2015 20 Knesset is sworn to everybody. The Women of the approved the transfer of authority in. Likud – 30 seats, Zionist Union Wall are engaging in provocation. over the rabbinical courts from the – 24, – 13, – 11, The Reform are a catastrophe Ministry of Justice to the Ministry Kulanu – 10, Jewish Home – 8, for the Jewish people.” of Religious Services. Minister of Yisrael Beitenu – 6, United Education MK : “It is 23.6.2015 Prime Minister – 6, Meretz – 5. vitally important that large numbers at the Jewish th of immigrants from the former 14.5.2015 Israel’s 34 government Agency Assembly: “Israel must be be allowed to convert is sworn in – Benjamin Netanyahu is a home for all Jews, from all the in accordance with the halacha.” Prime Minister. Some government streams – Orthodox, guidelines: “The government will Conservative, and 11.11.2015 Prime Minister preserve the Jewish character of the Reform.” Benjamin Netanyahu at the state and Jewish heritage, and will General Assembly of the Jewish respect all religious communities Federations of North America: and their traditions according to “All Jews should feel at home in the principles of the Declaration of 2.7.2015 The Board of Governors Israel – Reform, Conservative Independence.” of the Jewish Agency decides to and Orthodox. We will direct 17.6.2015 Minister of Justice establish an autonomous Orthodox our efforts to developing and and the Minister for rabbinical court abroad, that will nurturing Conservative and Reform Religious Services David Azoulay conduct conversions independently communities in Israel.” of the Rabbinate in Israel. MK : “These converts will have to be tracked, and as soon as we identify the bogus Jewish Agency responsible, their conversions will not be recognized or authorized.” RELIGION AND STATE 3

bills concerning Shabbat passed into law: Clause the Wall and others seeking full implementation of 10 of the Basic Law: Israel – the Nation State of the compromise agreement regarding egalitarian the Jewish People; the Supermarket Law, and the and mixed-gender prayer at the southern end of Hours of Work and Rest Law. the Wall. The 20th Knesset rejected them all. The bill Lawmakers made several attempts throughout the proposing the transfer of authority for approving 20th Knesset to amend the law concerning marriage the egalitarian prayer plaza to the Prime Minister - to allow civil marriage, civil unions, same-sex gained across-the-board support from lawmakers marriage, and to recognize marriage by all streams in the plenum, with the exception of MK Bezalel of Judaism, as well as even more basic proposals Smotrich who opposed the bill. seeking to annul the clause calling for a prison Throughout the 20th Knesset’s term, Hashgacha Pratit sentence for couples who choose to marry outside (an independent, Orthodox rabbinical authority) the Orthodox Rabbinate. The vast majority (about granted kashrut certification, which prompted fierce 55 bills) were stricken from the agenda or failed political debate, committee discussions, and bills. to pass the preliminary stages of legislation. Only Even the Supreme Court ruled on the subject, notably two bills passed their second and third readings: in the decision prohibiting a relationship between a The Rabbinical Jurisdiction Law – International kashrut supervisor and the object of his supervision, Authority (a government bill) and The Rabbinical which led to the formulation of a bill proposing to Jurisdiction Law – Amendment – Sanctioning dismantle parts of the Chief Rabbinate’s monopoly men jailed for refusing to grant their wives a get over kashrut. Also during the 20th Knesset’s term, in (religious divorce) (MK Moalem-Refaeli). 2018, the kashrut authority in the Chief Rabbinate A number of bills concerning the status of the introduced a new logo for kashrut certification to be reached a vote, some seeking to used uniformly by all religious councils, testifying to secure the Orthodox status of the entire length of the quality of the kashrut.

1.12.2015 MKs Ksenia Svetlova, 10.12.2015 MK Jewish organizations. MK Stav and speaks against the Reform and Shafir: “How can you possibly not request a Hannukah candle-lighting Conservative movements: “We change the regulations when you ceremony at Azarat Nashim at the must not under any circumstances see that only 4% of the budget goes Western Wall. MK Eliezer Moses: “I grant recognition or legitimacy to to non-Orthodox organizations?” don’t know what connection women any of the streams.” 2.2.2016 MK on the have with the Western Wall.” 31.1.2016 After three years of approval given to setting up the negotiations, the government new plaza at the Western Wall: approves the Western Wall plan “We must not allow the Reform and enabling the establishment of an Conservative movements to gain a egalitarian prayer space. Minister foothold. The Reform movement and the ultra-Orthodox is responsible for the shocking ministers oppose the decision, and rates of intermarriage that we are Ministers Elkin, Levin and Regev witnessing in the USA.” 9.12.2015 Rabbi David Lau on refuse to allocate a budget. Minister of Education Naftali 6.3.2016 Minister Uri Ariel Bennet’s visit to a Conservative boycotts the weekly government school in Pittsburgh: “The meeting because of his opposition Conservatives are most certainly to new prayer arrangements at the Jews but not because of their moral Western Wall. “This is a blatant identity. We must tell them clearly: violation of the status quo. The if you continue in this manner, you problem is not the plaza which will lose your children and your was set up two years ago, but the grandchildren.” Minister Naftali 1.2.2016 The Special Committee for recognition of the Conservative and Bennett: “Israeli leaders need to the Transparency and Accessibility of Reform movements who will now bring Jews closer, not drive them Government Information meets to start making changes in conversion away.” discuss the budgeting of pluralistic and in marriage and divorce.” 4 Summary Report of the 20th Knesset

The Nissim Committee was appointed during the ritual baths and circumcision, while some bills in 20th Knesset. Chaired by former Justice Minister these areas were blocked in the early stages of Moshe Nissim it formulated a detailed proposal for legislation. Among the bills that were approved: a state conversion law, which was introduced in the Transportation Services for the Deceased, Ritual Knesset by MK Yehuda Glick (Likud), but failed to Baths Law and Increasing Government Funding for formally advance in the face of opposition from the Religious Councils. ultra-Orthodox parties. The issue of Conservative and Reform conversions is pending in the Supreme Various bills sought to either allow or prevent the Court which is waiting for the state to legislate a exclusion of women and gender separation in the historic law recognizing these conversions. The public sphere. Bills were introduced seeking to advancement of this law is being delayed by the prevent discrimination against members of the deep divisions between the different parties on the LGBT community at the entrance to public places, Israeli political scene. and to provide services to gay families and accord Issues relating to religious services in Israel were them the same civil rights as all other families. First also on the agenda of the 20th Knesset. Shas’s and foremost among these bills was the Surrogacy coalition agreement with Likud placed the Ministry Law (extending access to surrogacy to same-sex of Religious Services under Shas’s care, as well as parents) which the Prime Minister undertook to the administration of the rabbinical courts which advance and subsequently dropped. The majority had hitherto been controlled by the Ministry of of these bills were rejected in the plenum except the Interior. Budgets for the Ministry for Religious for one which was introduced by MK Services and private institutions for Torah study prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual reached unprecedented levels during this period. orientation that passed its preliminary reading by The Knesset passed new laws regarding burial, a bare majority, but was not advanced any further.

28.3.2016 Yesh Atid files a no- streams from using it to perform Reform representatives. Members confidence motion over “the conversions. Ultra-Orthodox MKs of the committee MKYakov Asher severe crisis with world Jewry”. leave the room during speeches by and MK Israel Eichler also decline MK : “If the representatives of the streams. to take part. MK David Amsalem: Western Wall plan is “It is of no consequence if American 3.11.2016 Male and female not implemented and Jewry are offended, the Prime Conservative and Reform rabbis, the ritual baths bill is Minister must cancel the Western Women of the Wall, and a number approved, we will lose Wall agreement.” of Orthodox rabbis march in protest a decisive majority of world Jewry. of the failure to implement the 11.5.2017 The government This is dangerous and contrary to compromise agreement for an distributes a memorandum of the spirit of Judaism.” egalitarian prayer space at the law introduced by Minister of the 10.4.2016 MK Moshe Gafni on the Wall. MK David Amsalem: “The Interior that proposes new Western Wall agreement: “We disgraceful events at the Wall today to further tighten restrictions on will agree to the allocation of a plaza offended me as Jew. We conversion in Israel, which does not for the Conservative and Reform have to put an end to advance due to opposition from streams, on the condition that there this shameful situation some coalition members. will not be a joint entrance.” immediately.” 15.5.2017 MK David Amsalem, 13.7.2016 The Internal Affairs and chairman of the Internal Affairs Environment Committee chaired and Environment Committee, by MK David Amsalem approves 6.11.2016 Chief Rabbis David introduces a new bill that seeks the ritual baths bill for its second Lau and Yitzhak Yosef announce to expand the Protection of Holy and third readings after reaching that they would not take part in Places Law by defining the whole a compromise which nonetheless a tour of the Western Wall plaza vicinity of the Western Wall as an restricts the use of the mikveh that had been initiated by MK Orthodox synagogue which would (ritual bath) to use within Orthodox David Amsalem because of the then come under the sole authority Jewish law only, and bars the liberal participation of Conservative and of the Western Wall rabbi. RELIGION AND STATE 5

Bills – Status Report Breakdown of bills by degree of religious 6643 different bills were proposed in the 20th freedom Knesset with only one tenth (623) completing the 251 bills sought to legislative process and becoming law. Less than 5% increase religious of all bills (326) dealt with religion and state and freedom and challenge only 17 were passed into law. the monopoly in 75 religious services while Religion and 75 bills sought to limit state bills religious freedom and 251 reinforce the Orthodox Merely monopoly in religious introduced services. 219

Removed Of the seventeen bills from the that passed their second Knesset 4 and third readings, four agenda advanced religious free- 73 dom while thirteen both 13 advanced and reinforced 17 17 the religious monopoly Passed Passed 2nd and 3rd and religious coercion in preliminary reading readings Israel.

25.6.2017 Drama for the Jewish celebrations. MK : 23.1.2018 During a private visit to people – The Israeli government “The rabbi of the Wall decides how the Western Wall by Vice President decides to suspend the Western women may dress in the plaza, and of the United States Mike Pence, Wall plan, after having delayed what constitutes a ‘decent’ woman. female journalists are separated its implementation for a year There is nothing more indecent, from their male colleagues and and a half. Knesset Speaker Yuli however, than a luxury vehicle sent to a separate, fenced-off Edelstein: “The suspension of the showcase at a holy site.” area. MK Rachel Azaria: “The time plan is unnecessary, I supported the has come to formalize the role of 6.11.2017 Deputy Foreign Affairs previous solution. We must renew the Western Wall rabbi in clearly- Minister MK Tzipi Hotovely at discussions.” worded legislation and to demand the conference of the Israeli transparency in his management.” 1.11.2017 Members of the coalition American Council (organization of and the opposition take part in the Israeli-American community 11.2.2018 At the request of MK a discussion in the Committee in Washington): “The Reform Aliza Lavie and other lawmakers, for Immigration, Absorption and and Conservative the Special Committee for the Diaspora Affairs on the ramifications movements have Transparency and Accessibility of of the suspension of the Wall drained Judaism of its Government Information chaired agreement. MK Michael Malchieli: content.” by MK Stav Shafir meets to discuss “Every place has its own rules, there transparency in the management are places that do not allow dogs.” of the Western Wall Plaza. MK 3.1.2018 The Committee for MK Moti Yogev to MK Michal Biran: Aliza Lavie: “The time has come Immigration, Absorption and “Why do you suddenly care about to reinstate the Wall as a unifying Diaspora Affairs discusses the the Wall? Do I visit your gay and force for the Jewish State’s refusal to grant entry to a lesbian clubs?” people and not as a Conservative convert from Kenya. bone of contention.” 3.11.2017 Ten Ferrari vehicles park A representative from the Ministry at the Western Wall plaza as part of the Interior: “Do you want half of of the luxury car’s 70th anniversary Africa to come here?” 6 Summary Report of the 20th Knesset

Breakdown of bills by faction Of all the bills on religion and Zionist Union...... 80 state proposed in the 20th Knesset, a quarter, (80), were Yesh Atid...... 71 submitted by members of the Zionist Union. Yesh Atid MKs Meretz...... 36 submitted 71 bills and MKs Jewish Home...... 25 from Meretz, the smallest fac- tion in the Knesset, submitted Yisrael Beitenu...... 24 36. Kulanu submitted the least number of bills, ten. Joint List...... 22 Relative to the number of MKs ...20 in a faction, Meretz submitted the most bills with an average Likud...... 18 of 7.2 bills per MK, followed closely by Yesh Atid with an Shas...... 17 average of 6.5 per MK, while Likud submitted the lowest Kulanu...... 10 number of bills relative to its size – 0.6 per MK. Government bills...... 3

1.5.2018 The Knesset plenum 21.6.2018 The Board of Governors movement’s demand to approves the first reading of MK of the Jewish Agency approved turn the Wall into a place ’s bill, Basic Law: Israel by a majority of nine to one the where men and women as the Nation State of the Jewish appointment of MK , pray together is not acceptable to me People. MK Dichter: “The nation- of the Opposition, as or to Jewish tradition.” In 2013 she state law is, so to speak, a security chairman of the Jewish Agency for said: “We need to prepare a site for guarantee that we bequeath to Israel. “These are challenging times mixed prayers.” future generations.” for Israel regarding the relationship between the Jewish people and the 3.7.2018 Following the ministers’ 3.6.2018 Former Minister Moshe State of Israel.” resignation from the Committee for Nissim presents to the Prime Holy Places, the Knesset plenum Minister the recommendations of 1.7.2018 Minister of Justice MK approves the transfer of the commit- the state conversions committee Ayelet Shaked announces her tee’s authority to the Prime Minis- that he chaired. PM Benjamin resignation from the ter and to the Minister of Energy. 48 Netanyahu: “We will continue Ministerial Committee vote in favor; MK Bezalel Smotrich working to find solutions that will for Holy Places. In casts the only dissenting vote. strengthen the unity of the Jewish 2016 she supported the people in Israel and in the Diaspora.” Western Wall plan and 8.7.2018 The Minister of Religious even presented it in the Knesset: Services notifies the Prime Minister “Implementing this plan will put of his decision to resign from the an end to the dispute between the Antiquities Committee: “I am not parties involved.” prepared to betray my conscience and be a party to such a move.” 4.7.2018 The Minister of Culture and Sport MK , who was 19.7.2018 Haifa Police detain and charged with implementing the question Rabbi Dubi Hayun, the government’s decision to renovate spiritual leader of the Masorti Azarat Yisrael: “The Reform community in Haifa, on the RELIGION AND STATE 7

Breakdown of bills by subject Of all the bills that were introduced in the Knesset, 79 dealt with religious services (religious councils, ritual baths, burial, kashrut, municipal rabbis). 55 bills dealt with marriage and divorce in Israel, 42 with equal rights for the LGBT community and 38 bills sought to define the nature of Shabbat. Two bills regarding military conscription were proposed. Religious services 79

Marriage & divorce 55

LGBT 42 Shabbat 38

Education Non- 26 Misc. Jewish 22 Religions Religious Conversion 20 freedom Who is a 16 Jew? 12 Diaspora National Military 5 identity conscription 3 2

suspicion that he performed Jewish men and women. MK Yael Cohen Azarat Yisrael plaza. Minister weddings without the sanction of Paran: “To those who claim that of the Interior Aryeh Deri: “The the Chief Rabbinate. MK Shelly Conservative Jews are not Jewish committee’s decision is a planning Yachimovich: “This is an extremely enough, we have here the distressing decision, and will not affect the severe and entirely inconceivable proof of their Jewishness, written, continued prohibition on mixed event. The Rabbinate of Haifa filing this time, in their blood.” prayers at the site.” a police report about Rabbi Hayun 24.12.2018 Yesh Atid chairman MK crosses a very dangerous line.” 31.10.2018 Deputy Minister MK publishes an op- Yair Lapid backtracks on his previous 21.10.2018 Following the detention ed article in the Times promise to support the conscription of Rabbi Dubi Hayun, MK Aliza Lavie following the Pittsburgh massacre: law, sending the political system submits a bill seeking to annul the “Israel refuses to recognize the into a tailspin. “The coalition has criminal prohibition under Clause 7 of Conservative movement to which all been wheeling and dealing with the the Marriage and Divorce Ordinance. 11 victims belonged.” ultra-Orthodox, and we will thus not support the conscription law.” 28.10.2018 An armed man opens 7.11.2018 The Knesset holds an fire on worshippers at Tree of emergency conference dealing Life Congregation, a Conservative with equality for various streams of synagogue in Pittsburgh, Judaism and strengthening the bond Pennsylvania, killing 11 Jewish between Israel and Diaspora Jewry. MK Michal Rozin: “Judaism passed me by as a child. This struggle is for me, for my children and for the whole of Israeli society.” 24.12.2018 Following Lapid’s 17.12.2018 The District decision, coalition leaders agree Planning Committee is expected to dissolve the Knesset and hold to approve the renovation of the elections on 9.4.2019. Jewish Pluralism Watch by the numbers In the 20th Knesset In our role as a civilian monitoring institute, we tracked and publicized on our website:

3,000  100  250 326 statements plenary committee bills by members votes hearings summarized of Knesset tracked monitored disseminated By means of:

10,000 310 1,000 2,800 followers on weekly  Facebook  Tweets  social media newsletters posts and newsletter subscribers

Our educational division conducted seminars and workshops for: 10 35  10 leadership 35 pre-army programs and year- of-service 5 Over 3,000 young programs 5 Israeli people and a wide communities audience from Israel and around the world comprising 10 10 10 groups 10 missions from 70 different groups from federations and around the foundations world

Jewish Pluralism Watch monitors Israeli elected officials’ positions, statements, legislative initiatives and voting records with regard to matters of state and religion in Israel. www.mishmar.org.il