Minister of Housing Uri Ariel, who holds the number two position in the Bayit Yehudi faction in Knesset, is opposed to the so-called Stern Bill, referring to the bill of MK (The Movement) Elazar Stern seeking to expand the voting body for the nation�s chief rabbis. Ariel opposes the appointment of women to the committee. Party leader Minister of Industry & Trade Naftali Bennett is a staunch supporter of the bill, which would add 50 additional persons including many women and female rabbinical advocates to the voting body.
While Ariel filed a motion against the bill with the Ministerial Legislative Committee, Bayit Yehudi officials released a statement to the media seeking to assure the public the party remains united.
Bennett and Ariel remain divided on the party�s endorsement of a candidate for Ashkenazi chief rabbi as well, with the party leader backing Rabbi David Stav while Ariel stands behind Rabbi Yaakov Ariel.
(YWN � Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
2 Responses
This was entirely predictable.
When there are two separate groups united as one, a Conservative/Frum/Right wing component merging with a Liberal/Traditional/Peace at all expenses component there will be cracks and eventually a split. Seeing it happening already!
I know a good counceller for “jewish homes” but they said this case is hopeless