Jewish Agency chairman Natan Sharansky welcomed on Monday the establishment in Israel of independent rabbinical courts for the purpose of conversion.
"We all wish to continue the process of ingathering the exiles from throughout the world in an era of lost identities and growing assimilation," Sharansky stated.
"In order to keep the gates of Israel open to all who wish to join our people in accordance with halakhah (Jewish law), it is important that rabbis who have been authorized by the Chief Rabbinate to conduct conversions participate in this process, and this new initiative will enable them to do so."