A compromise has been reached between the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party and the Likud-led government on the issue of conversion reforms.
UTJ Knesset Member Moshe Gafni said the agreement was "very good" in speaking with reporters on Tuesday night following approval by Ashkenazi hareidi-religious Torah sage Rabbi Yosef Shalom Elyashiv.
Secular immigrants to Israel who came under the Law of Return, many from the former Soviet Union, have been faced with a dilemma when it comes time to marry. Many are not halachically Jewish (according to Jewish law –ed.) and therefore are not allowed by religious authorities to marry. There are no civil marriages in Israel at present, and only religious authorities conduct ceremonies.
The issue of finding a solution to this problem has been a major plank in the platform of the Russian immigrant-led Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel is Our Home) party, the second largest in the new coalition government.
The compromise reached with UTJ would allow for Israelis who have no religious status or definition (such as Jewish, Muslim or Christian) to obtain a civil marriage.
In exchange, Yisrael Beiteinu agreed to back down on some of its demands for streamlining the conversion process for those who want to become Jews.
"We made sure that all converts would be required to fully accept an Orthodox lifestyle, including full observance of mitzvoth," Gafni said. Sources said the office of the Chief Rabbinate must approve amendments to any laws relating to conversions.