The re-established Sanhedrin, which aspires to fill the role of the ancient religious court, has announced it will hear a complaint of the Chinese Falun Gong movement, which has charged the Chinese government with persecution, murder and the selling of victims' body organs.

Sanhedrin secretary Rabbi Dov Stein said it has heard testimony from a Falun Gong member and is investigating the facts. However, he added that Chinese embassy officials have warned a hearing may damage relations between Israel and China.