This week, a bill to expand the jurisdiction of rabbinical courts passed its first reading. According to Prof. Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, the bill creates a parallel halakhic legal system. She warns that this situation does not exist in any other democracy.
As a result, the expansion has major consequences. Rabbinical courts may rule on labor disputes. In addition, they may handle conflicts between neighbors and disputes between contractors and apartment buyers. Furthermore, these courts do not see themselves as bound by human or civil rights. Therefore, they also do not see themselves as bound by Israel’s Basic Law of Human Dignity and Freedom.
Moreover, judges in rabbinical courts do not need legal training. As a result, their rulings may not match civil legal standards. In addition, no women serve as judges. Only men decide the fate of both men and women.
However, thanks to strong efforts by the Rackman Center and other groups, all divorce-related matters were removed from the bill. Therefore, rabbinical courts cannot act as arbitrators in property disputes during divorce.
Now, we call on the government to stop this process. Otherwise, Israel may move backward and harm human rights and women’s rights.
