Coalition resumes push for Rabbinical bill amid opposition protests

The Knesset Legislation Committee will resume discussions on the Rabbinical Bill on June 18.

The bill proposes appointing at least 600 new city and community rabbis and transferring some local authority powers to the Chief Rabbinate and the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Initially introduced in 2023, the bill was frozen due to opposition from legal reform critics, including Machane Mamlachti leader Benny Gantz and his then-partner Gideon Saar. After their departure, work on the bill resumed.

Opposition parties plan to use all parliamentary means, including a filibuster, to block the bill. Coalition member Dan Illouz (Likud) also opposes the bill and will not vote for it.