— A fluke vote by a minority of the Knesset’s Legal Committee put the controversial “Who is a Jew?” law on the Knesset agenda after having been frozen in committee for three years. But the full 15-member committee will take a re-vote Monday and the measure is expected to be soundly defeated.
Inspired by the Orthodox parties, the “Who is a Jew” amendment to the Law of Return defines a Jew as a person born of a Jewish mother or converted “according to halacha.” The latter stipulation excludes persons converted by other than Orthodox rabbis.
Premier Menachem Begin’s coalition pledged, in return for the support of the Aguda Israel bloc, “to make every effort” to secure a Knesset majority for the amendment. But Begin has been frustrated by the firm opposition within coalition ranks, notably Likud’s Liberal Party wing and the Democratic Movement.
This morning, four coalition members of the Legal Committee who support the amendment found themselves temporarily alone. Under the chairmanship of David Glass of the National Religious Party they voted 4-0 to send the measure to the Knesset.
They conceded, however, that their act was more symbolic than substantive. With the election campaign about to get underway, Likud is anxious to show its religious supporters that it has indeed made “every effort” to gain passage of the amendment.
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