Chairwoman of the Knesset Committee for the Status of Women MK Dr. Aliza Lavie (Yesh Atid) told the Committee Monday that "Rigid conversion regulations that have caused the recent deterrence of 20% of conversion applicants must be immediately changed. 75% of the population regard intermarriage as a existential catastrophe, and when spouse conversion is too demanding, couples have no choice but to avoid the system."
The Religious Affairs Ministry says the bureaucracy and state conversion criteria are the main cause for frustration with the system, as the Rabbis of the Conversion Court are open-minded, liberal and welcoming towards applicants.