Two proposals for extension of the tenure of the Rabbinical Council, which officially expired last October, were rejected yesterday by the Israel Cabinet.
Minister of Justice Pinbas Rosen proposed that the tenure be extended for a year, while Moshe Haim Shapiro, Minister of Religious Affairs, and Minister of Posts Benjamin Mintz, representing Poale Agudat Israel, suggested a six-month extension.
Behor Shitreet. Minister of Police, argued against the extensions, declaring that such extension, and resultant delay in the election of the new Chief Rabbis, would “infuriate” the Sephardi community in Israel. He said the Sephardim may of their own volition unseat Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Nissim, whom Mr. Shitreet accused of “flouting authority” by continuing to act as Chief Rabbi although his tenure expired on October 21.
In voting to reject the extension proposals, the Cabinet, however, also voted that all parties in the coalition shall be exempt from the usual rule enjoining them never to argue in Parliament against a Cabinet decision. Thus, the members of the Cabinet will be able to fight the Cabinet on this issue when it comes before Parliament.
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