The MNS Israel Committee was formed to enable the MNS community to engage with the people of Israel and its culture.

From time to time the committee will publish Israel Commentary, monitoring and reporting on developing issues in and affecting Israel.

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The main news from Israel was the announcement on August 20th of direct talks between the government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, with the United States closely shepherding the process. There will be a one year timeline for talks, and assurances have been given that the United States will be actively engaged in helping the parties close gaps and keeping the process moving forward.

High on the agenda of concern about recent actions by Israel is the issue of Plurality.  In a move that has dire implications for the legitimacy under Israeli law of Reform, Conservative and other non-Orthodox Jews, legislation that will grant absolute control to the ultra-Orthodox minority in Israel in determining who is a Jew, was suddenly brought to a vote in the Knesset Law Committee on 12th July. It passed the Committee on a 5-4 vote and will now be brought to the full Knesset.

The legislation, known as the Rotem bill, would formalise ultra-Orthodox control of the conversion process and require converts to live in an Orthodox lifestyle.   Vociferously opposed by the vast majority of North American Jews, this bill is now making its way forward toward ratification by the full Knesset – a move clearly designed to cater to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s ultra-religious political allies.

We are deeply disturbed by the events relating to the attempt early on Monday 31st May to break Israel’s blockade of Gaza.  At least nine people were killed and many more injured, including members of the Israel Defence Forces who boarded the ships heading for Gaza.

During the past month continuing concerns about Human Rights in Israel have figured largely. The New Israel Fund has sent a message to PM Netanyahu expressing deep concern at the disturbing picture that has emerged of nationalist extremism that would stifle dissent and erode Israeli democracy.

Examples quoted included women led away from the Western Wall in handcuffs for daring to wear prayer-shawls there, women forced to sit in the back of segregated buses with support from the Ministry of Transport, and years of effort to achieve recognition for Progressive Jews again threatened by a proposed law preventing recognition of non-Orthodox conversions in Israel.