K A S H R U T . C O M_©

Plan for major kashrut reform advances through Knesset committee

October 27, 2021 - from The Times of Israel

"Legislation proposed by Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana aimed at significantly reforming the kosher certification industry in Israel passed through a Knesset committee hearing on Wednesday, after weeks of intense debate.

"Ultra-Orthodox lawmakers reiterated their fierce opposition to the plan, which will now advance to a second and third reading in the Knesset plenum. A small protest was held in Tel Aviv on Wednesday against the bill, which seeks to weaken the Chief Rabbinate’s monopoly over the matter.

"Kahana’s proposal would establish a series of private kosher certification agencies that will be required to uphold religious standards established by the Chief Rabbinate, instead of only the rabbinate itself issuing kosher certifications. The move is aimed at increasing competition to reduce costs for businesses seeking certification.

"The private agencies will be authorized to issue certifications that note they are “under the supervision of the Rabbinate.” Each agency is expected to be headed by a rabbi who is certified by the city’s local rabbinate. The agencies — which will also need to demonstrate financial viability — will make public the religious standards they are maintaining in their certification.

"The proposed plan would also see the creation of an overarching supervisory body of the Chief Rabbinate to monitor the private agencies and ensure they uphold the standards they have promised to meet.

"After intense debate in the committee, several amendments were adopted, including allowing local religious councils to also provide kosher certifications as well as local municipal rabbis.

"Opposition MKs submitted more than 1,000 amendments to the legislation, the vast majority of which were thrown out.

"ozens of activists and kosher supervisors protested on Ibn Gabirol Street in Tel Aviv on Wednesday against the reform proposal, charging that it will put hundreds of them out of work. Calling for Kahana’s resignation, the protesters blocked traffic on a busy street next to Rabin Square in central Tel Aviv.

"Earlier this week, some activists cooked shrimp and other non-kosher seafood in a protest outside Kahana’s home in the Beit Gamliel moshav. Protesters believe that the legislation, which takes some power away from the Chief Rabbinate, will lead to the establishment of kosher certifying agencies without sufficiently stringent oversight or regulation."