Supreme Court Ruling on Private Conversions Sparks Rabbinical Backlash
A Supreme Court ruling recognizing private Orthodox conversions for citizenship under the Law of Return has drawn sharp criticism from rabbinical authorities and conservative groups, while advocates praise it as a vital solution.
A landmark ruling by the Supreme Court recognizing private conversions performed by the "Ahavat HaGer" rabbinical court for the purposes of the Law of Return has triggered sharp backlash from rabbinical authorities and organizations dedicated to preserving the status of the Chief Rabbinate.
Rabbi Eliezer Simcha Weiss, a member of the Council of the Chief Rabbinate, sent an urgent letter to the Chief Rabbis of Israel, Rabbi David Yosef and Rabbi Kalman Bar, demanding an emergency session of the council. In his letter, Rabbi Weiss warned against the creation of parallel conversion tracks, noting that individuals recognized as Jewish under the Law of Return might not be recognized as Jewish according to Halakha. He argued this could lead to severe disputes regarding marriage, lineage, and the status of future generations, calling for clear guidelines to be issued to marriage registrars.
Political and public organizations also strongly condemned the ruling. The Noam party issued a statement claiming that the High Court of Justice is advancing rulings against the Jewish identity of the state, warning that state recognition of private conversions paves the way for sweeping reformist conversions and transforms Israel into a multinational state. Similarly, the Hatzorim organization stated that the Chief Rabbinate is the sole authority for conversion in Israel, arguing that High Court rulings on the matter lack legal validity and demanding comprehensive judicial reform to halt judicial intervention.
Conversely, advocates defending the private rabbinical court welcomed the decision. Attorney David Amsalem, who represented the court alongside attorney Lior Koren, emphasized the practical significance of the verdict. "Anyone who sincerely converts in an Orthodox rabbinical court with halachic standing can now obtain citizenship under the Law of Return," Amsalem explained, adding that the ruling resolves long-standing issues for individuals who deserve conversion but were previously unrecognized by the state.
