Deal reached to temporarily resolve conversion crisis

Haredi leaders Deri and Gafni storm out of meeting but return later to continue negotiations.

By JEREMY SHARON
Updated: JUNE 30, 2017 15:34
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu touches the stones of the Western Wall (photo credit: REUTERS)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu touches the stones of the Western Wall
(photo credit: REUTERS)
A deal has been reached to temporarily resolve the crisis over controversial legislation on Jewish conversion following intense negotiations between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the coalition party leaders including those of haredi parties Shas and United Torah Judaism.
Under the terms of the agreement the state together with the Reform and Masorti (Conservative) movements have agreed to request that the High Court of Justice delay by at least six months a ruling on a petition to grant non-Orthodox converts recognition by the state.
In return, the haredi parties have agreed to suspend their legislation which would have granted the Chief Rabbinate a total monopoly on conversion and would preempt the High Court ruling by denying in law any recognition of Reform and Conservative conversions done in Israel, as well as those of non-state, independent Orthodox rabbinical courts. 
Netanyahu speaks at a cabinet meeting in the Western Wall (credit: GPO)
Netanyahu will now appoint a committee to review the issue and present alternative arrangements within six months, and the prime minister has given instructions for legislation on the issue not to be advanced until the committee reports back.
The haredi leadership strongly objects to state recognition of non-Orthodox conversions, although it should be noted that such converts would still not be able to marry through the Chief Rabbinate.
Because of the threat of recognition for non-Orthodox converts through the High Court they introduced a bill to preemptively circumvent nay such ruling.
This incensed the leaders of the Reform and Conservative movements who argue that the bill would set a precedent giving ever greater control over Jewish status issues in Israel and in the Diaspora to the Chief Rabbinate.
The Yisrael Beytenu party appealed the government decision made on Sunday to approve the bill for passage to the Knesset, which gave the coalition time to come up with alternative arrangements.
Deri and Gafni stormed out of the meeting Friday morning owing to questions regarding what would happen if the High Court decided to rule on the petition regardless of the request to freeze it.
According to the agreement, if the High Court issues a ruling regardless of the request not to "the government will be obligated to its coalition agreements,” meaning the haredi legislation will be advanced.
“Peace within the Jewish people is something very important to me. It is important to me as the Prime Minister of Israel, and personally as a member of the Jewish people,” said Netanyahu following the announcement of the deal.
The prime minister also called on the High Court to grant the request not to rule on the petition, “because it will cool the emotions and create and opening for hope that an agreed-upon arrangement can be reached.”
Bennett: Compromise important for Jewish unity, Israel's interest
"The compromise around the conversion bill creates dialogue between Israel and Diaspora," Minister of Diaspora Affairs Naftali Bennett said Friday. "Together we will ensure Israel remains the homeland of the entire Jewish People."
"Conversation is the key to Jewish unity, and close relations with US Jews are a strategic asset of Israel," Bennett added. "Over the past week I spoke with many Israeli and Diaspora leaders, and am pleased to have found common ground. I want to thank Prime Minister Netanyahu and all the parties involved for their part in ending the crisis."