Any government decisions or Knesset legislation having to do with religion will have to be vetted by the Bayit Yehudi party, MKs decided in a meeting Monday. If they are not, the MKs will veto those decisions and automatically vote against proposed laws based on them, Bayit Yehudi MKs decided in their weekly faction meeting.
That rule will apply even if the matter in question is one the party would agree with. “We will not accept any situation in which laws are to be voted on without discussing it with the appropriate ministry,” Bayit Yehudi said in a statement. “The same holds true for the Ministry of Religious Affairs,” which is run by Bayit Yehudi.
In recent days, party head and Economics Minister Naftali Bennett informed the heads of other parties that from now on, Bayit Yehudi would operate under three principles: All laws regarding religion and state would have to be vetted by Bayit Yehudi, no proposals can contradict Jewish law, and that the proposal be good for the Jewish people, and not lead to divisiveness.
In addition, Bayit Yehudi appointed several MKs who will develop guidelines for legislation on religious matters. The MKs will also advise the party on which pieces of legislation to support.
“We have shown that our party is effective in advancing sensitive issues of Jewish identity and religion, such as the legislation on extending daylight savings time, ensuring the availability of religious services such as marriage in any jurisdiction, establishing a special prayer section for women at the Western Wall, and more,” Bennett told MKs. “Any proposal that is brought about through dialog and unites the nation will enjoy our support,” he added.