Is it another step toward an Iran-like theocracy? Speaking at a conference of the Israel Bar Association in Eilat today, the haredi Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau called for a law to be passed by the Knesset that would mandate the government consult with the Chief Rabbinate on all proposed legislation before it is brought to a vote in Knesset.
Above: Rabbi David Lau
Haredi Chief Rabbis Want Government To Vet All Proposed Legislation Through The Haredi-Controlled Chief Rabbinate
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com
Is it another step toward an Iran-like theocracy?
Speaking at a conference of the Israel Bar Association in Eilat today, the haredi Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel David Lau called for a law to be passed by the Knesset that would mandate the government consult with the Chief Rabbinate on all proposed legislation before it is brought to a vote in Knesset, the Jerusalem Post reported.
Lau driected that remark to the new Minister of Justice, Ayelet Shaked, during a panel discussion he sat on with Shaked, Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein, and Police Commissioner Yohanan Danino.
Shaked – who is considered to be close to a fascist by many centrist and leftists Israelis – also chairs the powerful the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, which decides whether or not the coalition government will support legislation brought to the Knesset floor. This almost always determines whether a bill will pass or not.
“Israel is both a Jewish and democratic state, and these expressions do not contradict each other but combine together,” Lau reportedly said when asking Shaked to pass a law mandating that the Chief Rabbinate – which is haredi controlled – give the government an official position statement before a bill is brought to Knesset, just as government ministries do when the legislation impacts their area of mission. The Chief Rabbinate would then “present the stance of Judaism and the tradition regarding proposed legislation,” Lau concluded.
Shaked did not publicly respond to Lau’s request.
The Israel Hofsheet (Free Israel) movement, which works for separation of religion and state, vigorously objected to Lau’s request.
“It is saddening to see that the Chief Rabbinate continues to act as a monopolistic and aggressive body that wants to coercively impose it’s world view on Israeli citizens. I am certain that the minister of justice understands the absurdity of the request and will not approve the rabbi’s request,” Mickey Gotzin, the director of Israel Hofsheet who is also a member of the Tel Aviv City Council for the secular left-wing for Meretz Party reportedly said.