Knesset
Israeli rabbinate under scrutiny as religious issues threaten government’s wartime unity
By David I. Klein — March 21, 2024
(RNS) — A complaint against the rabbinate's control of who is deemed Jewish comes as cracks are beginning to show in the sense of unity fostered by Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7.
Israelis fear new limits on Supreme Court will bolster Orthodox establishment’s sway
By Michele Chabin — July 27, 2023
(RNS) — Rights advocates in the country say legislation giving the Knesset more power to overturn Supreme Court decisions will have ‘a devastating impact’ on everything from gender equality, religious freedom and pluralism to the rights of Israel’s Arab minority.
Israel’s Reform rabbi and legislator on judicial overhaul: ‘It doesn’t look good.’
By Yonat Shimron — March 20, 2023
(RNS) — Gilad Kariv, who serves on the Knesset’s Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, said he wants American Jews to help protect Israel’s democracy.
Progressive US Jews rally in solidarity with Israeli protesters
By Yonat Shimron — February 21, 2023
(RNS) — Outrage over Israel’s government and its anti-democratic leanings have provoked strong reactions among U.S. Jews.
Critics say Israeli judicial reform would end checks on Orthodox Jewish establishment
By Michele Chabin — February 16, 2023
(RNS) — Critics of proposed judicial reform fear that it would allow the so-called religious parties that make up a crucial swing vote in Israel’s Knesset, or parliament, to impose fervently religious norms on the country’s non-Orthodox majority.
How Israel’s missing constitution deepens divisions between Jews and with Arabs
By Brendan Szendro — June 17, 2021
(The Conversation) — Governed by a changeable body of 'basic laws,' Israel never settled basic questions like the rights of religious minorities. These destabilizing issues will continue to fester under a new government.
Israel’s ultra-Orthodox women win partial victory in fight to run for office
By Yonat Shimron — August 24, 2018
JERUSALEM (RNS) — The demands for representation from a growing number of religious women come amid a seismic shift in Israeli ultra-Orthodox society in which more religious women are entering the professions.
With new nation-state law, Israel shoots herself in the foot
By Jeffrey Salkin — July 19, 2018
(RNS) — Why the law is unnecessary, hurtful and dangerous.
Controversial law cements Israel’s status as a Jewish state
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — July 19, 2018
JERUSALEM (RNS) — First introduced in 2011 and amended many times before being approved, the law passed early Thursday by the Knesset explicitly defines Israel as the 'national home of the Jewish people.'
Pence: US Embassy to move to Jerusalem in 2019
By Lauren Markoe — January 22, 2018
(USA Today) — Pence made the announcement Monday (Jan. 22) at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament.
The World Council of Churches vs. the Jewish state, once again
By Gerald Steinberg — March 21, 2017
JERUSALEM (RNS) World Council of Churches officials should not be surprised that years of attacks targeting Israel have borne bitter fruit, writes political scientist Gerald Steinberg.
Israeli lawmakers vow to annul court ruling recognizing all Orthodox conversions
By Michele Chabin — April 1, 2016
JERUSALEM (RNS) The Israeli court ruling is a crushing defeat for the Orthodox Rabbinate, which until now has enjoyed sole authority over Jewish institutions in Israel.
Israel’s ultra-Orthodox women make uphill battle for parliament
By Michele Chabin — March 3, 2015
JERUSALEM (RNS) The fact that women in the Haredi sect are running at all is historic and radical for a community where politics -- and decision-making -- are traditionally left to the menfolk.
Israel’s parliament passes law requiring yeshiva students’ army service
By Michele Chabin — March 12, 2014
JERUSALEM (RNS) The yeshiva student exemptions have created a deep rift in Israel, where nearly all men and women are drafted for up to three years of military service.
Page 1 of 1
