Minister of Justice Prof. Yaakov Ne�eman, a Shomer Mitzvos Jew, is weighing calls to expand the jurisdiction of the Rabbinical Court system, a move that has already elicited opposition from women�s groups and others. The move to expand the rabbinical system�s authority is part of the coalition agreement between Likud and Shas. A personal request was also made of Prof. Ne�eman by HaGaon HaRav Ovadia Yosef Shlita.
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According to the minister�s spokesman, Gil Solomon, Prof. Ne�eman has yet to make up his mind on the matter. A meeting of experts was scheduled for earlier in the week to discuss the pros and cons but it was canceled for �technical reasons�.
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While divorce is handled by the rabbinical system, disputed matters including custody and monetary issues often find their way to the secular family courts.
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Attorney Dan Yakir, who represents ACRI (Association for Civil Rights in Israel) expressed his organization�s opposition, adding that not only do they oppose expanding the jurisdiction of the rabbinical court, but they are seeking to further limit its authority to divorce only.
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Women�s rights organizations are also opposed, sending a strong letter to the minister, explaining they fear if these matters are placed in the hands of rabbonim, it will be a tool for additional blackmail towards a woman receiving a get (divorce).
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MK (Meretz) Nitzan Horowitz has submitted an urgent motion to Knesset to intercept such a process, warning it represents additional �religious coercion�.�
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There is also opposition among a number of Labor Party MKs with Ofir Pines explaining �Israel is not an autocracy and not a state run by halacha�.

(Yechiel Spira � YWN Israel)