Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., May 20, 2009 Iyyar 26, 5769 | | Israel Time: 01:55 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Focus U.S.A. Travel Week's End Anglo File TLV 100

Bill to expand rabbinical court powers meets with varied critics By Yair Ettinger A bill that would expand the authority of rabbinical courts to civilian matters was criticized yesterday by lawmakers, women's rights groups and several religious organizations, following Haaretz's expose of Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman's support of the initiative. MK Ophir Pines-Paz said yesterday that his Labor Party, a member of the governing coalition, is not beholden to verbal commitments the ruling Likud party gave to fellow coalition member Shas to expand the courts' authority, and that he intends to work against Neeman's efforts to that end. Advertisement "Just as we were able to thwart Shas' initiatives in the last Knesset, this time we also won't allow it to pass," Pines-Paz said in response to yesterday's Haaretz Hebrew edition article. The bill was promised verbally to Shas as part of a coalition deal with Likud, even though it was not recorded as part of the parties' written agreement. "Israel is not an autocracy, nor a halakhic state. The attempt to expand the control of rabbinical courts at the expense of [civil] courts represents a serious blow to the status quo, and a dangerous, unprecedented effort to give rabbinical courts authority over civilian matters," the lawmaker said. MK Nitzan Horowitz of the New Movement-Meretz said, "This initiative should represent another call to the free-secular Israeli public to shake off this vacuous government, which started off by promising civil unions and is now strengthening rabbinical courts." MK Shlomo Molla of Kadima said, "The justice minister is turning Israel into Iran." Rabbi Eli Ben-Dahan, director of the rabbinical courts, expressed support for the bill. "All in all we're not talking about expanding the rabbinical courts' authority, but of returning to the situation that was in place for 50 years, until the High Court annulled that authority several years ago," he said. Liora Minka, chair of the national-religious women's organization Emunah, wrote to Neeman lamenting what she described as rabbinical courts' "discriminatory, strict and harmful" treatment of women, and called on the justice minister to prevent the expansion of their power. Icar, a coalition of organizations promoting the rights of women bound in marriage by husbands refusing to grant a divorce, will stage a protest tomorrow opposite Neeman's home. The bill "would bolster the extortive power of the husband and deal a hard blow to women refused a get," said Robyn Shames, the coalition's director, referring to the Jewish halakhic term for a bill of divorce. Rabbi Gilad Kariv, Director of Public Policy for the Reform Movement's Israel Religious Action Center, said the bill is tantamount to "granting a prize to a failed justice system," and that "it would be fitting for the justice minister to invest his energy in finding a solution to the struggle of those prevented from remarrying, as the government has committed to doing." The Conservative Movement also called on Neeman to retract his support for the initiative. "The step will bring tremendous damage to Israeli society in general, and the female population in particular," Rabbi Diana Villa of the Conservative Movement said. Batia Kahane-Dror of the women's organization Mavoi Satum sent an open letter to Neeman reminding him of his past condemnation of expanded rabbinical court authority. "Now that you are on the other side, will your conscience allow you to give them additional powers?" she wrote. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Israel-U.S. rift Obama and Netanyahu still must iron out gaps in Mideast policies, say U.S. officials. Gaza fighting resumes Following more than a week of quiet, IDF bombs south Gaza in response to Qassam strike.

Read & React Netanyahu: Israel ready for immediate peace talks Responses: 281 Hamas: Obama looks to maintain Israel as racist state Responses: 75 Bradley Burston: Obama, Netanyahu, and two states for spoiled brats Responses: 91 Aluf Benn: Israel gives Obama until end of year on Iran Responses: 52 Researchers: Jerusalem will lose Jewish majority by 2035 Responses: 38 More Headlines 23:44 IDF bombs south Gaza after Qassam hits Sderot 23:48 Netanyahu: Israel ready for immediate peace talks 23:27 Palestinian PM: No peace talks until Israel honors prior accords 22:05 'Israel will have to take on Iran alone once Obama's efforts fail' 23:17 Clinton tells Netanyahu: Israel must cease settlement activity 20:35 Scientists unveil 'missing link' to human evolution 22:54 Daniel Keren, 48, becomes fifth Israeli to conquer Mt. Everest 00:06 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel 22:30 Shin Bet: No chance for peace while Hamas rules Gaza 19:34 Who was the 'Menachem' whose ancient jug was found in Jerusalem? 17:36 Hamas leader said fired for wanting distance from Iran, Syria 20:46 High Court rules in favor of Reform conversions 12:59 Hamas: Obama looks to maintain Israel as racist state Previous Editions Select Day 19 may 18 may 17 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 10 may 08 may 07 may 06 may

Special Offers Advertisement hotel Jerusalem David Citadel Hotel, come stay at the finest of Jerusalem hotels. ISRAEL ARMY SURPLUS STORE IDF insignia,Uniforms, Paladium Boots Watches, Israel Army T-shirts & Collectibles Dead Sea Skin Care Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off! Camp Kimama Israel 2009 The best place for your children this summer Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results

Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved