Orthodox Monopoly Over?

Maariv International reports that the Israeli government is on the verge of formally recognizing Conservative and Reform conversions as valid. Previously only Orthodox conversions were recognised by the state, which often led to problems when converts wished to invoke the law of return:

During the discussion, Attorney General Meni Mazuz said that the state had no legal basis for refusing to recognize reform and conservative conversions carried out in Israel. He made it clear that such a policy could only be created by legislation legally enshrining orthodox conversions as the sole valid conversions in Israel. This would require amending the Law of Return. Such a step would be akin to opening a Pandora’s box, and could lead to a total schism between Israel and world Jewry, the majority of whom is not orthodox, as it would, in effect be enshrining orthodox Judaism as the only recognized and officially sanctioned form of Judaism in Israel.

At the end of the meeting the PM decided that the government would neither initiate nor support any such legislation, and that this would be the basis of the state’s response.

Deputy PM Justice Minister Yosef (Tomi) Lapid, leader of Shinui, which is committed to a policy of religious pluralism in Israel, confirmed these facts, via his spokesperson.