A political and religious dispute intensified following the Knesset’s approval of a law expanding the authority of rabbinical courts, after former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett vowed to repeal the legislation if he returns to power.

The law, which passed its second and third readings in the Knesset plenum, allows rabbinical courts to adjudicate financial disputes as arbitrators with the consent of both parties. Bennett sharply criticized the measure, labeling it a “disgrace law” and declaring that he would act to overturn it immediately upon forming a new government, warning against what he described as the creation of “a state within a state.”

MK Moshe Gafni, chairman of Degel HaTorah, responded forcefully to Bennett’s remarks, calling them an embarrassment and defending the law as a measure that simply grants individuals the option to resolve disputes according to Torah law. He argued that the legislation respects both the Jewish and democratic character of the state. “It would be appropriate for opposition leaders to first focus on building public trust before making declarations about repealing laws in a desperate attempt to stand out,” Gafni said.

Gafni also pointed out that earlier proponents of similar legislation included prominent figures from the religious Zionist camp, such as Rabbi Yitzhak Levy and Rabbi Zevulun Orlev, who come from the same ideological background as Bennett. He compared the current opposition to past resistance against legislation regulating chametz in hospitals, arguing that it reflects an ongoing anti-Jewish agenda presented under the guise of democracy.

According to Gafni, Bennett is deliberately misleading the public about the nature of the law, emphasizing that it is based solely on voluntary consent and does not impose religious adjudication on anyone. He reiterated his criticism, stating: “It would be appropriate for opposition leaders to first focus on building public trust and bringing in voters, before making declarations about future coalitions and repealing laws, in a desperate attempt to stand out within the opposition bloc.”

{Matzav.com}