Intelligence Minister Elazar Stern has weighed in on the current controversy surrounding Chief Rabbi David Lau's refusal to sign off on the conversion of new arrivals from Ethiopia if the government's conversion reforms are implemented.
"The Chief Rabbi's influence is granted to him by virtue of the law, and his responsibility over the conversion system is also granted to him by the government," Stern said. "I am confident that the Rabbi understands that threats not to authorize conversions are not the way in which to conduct a dispute, no matter how harsh it is.
"Every public servant who does not intend to implement government decisions has the right to resign from his position," he added.