The Ministerial Law Committee on Sunday, 3 Adar-II passed the new mikve bill initiated by MK Moshe Gafne. The bill prohibits any convert from toiveling in any state-run mikve in Israel. The bill is intended to circumvent the High Court ruling ordering the Beersheva Religious Council to permit a Reform convert toivel in front of a Reform beis din. The bill is backed by Shas, Yahadut Hatorah and Bayit Yehudi.

Earlier on Sunday, Beersheva Chief Rabbi Yehuda Deri told chareidi radio “It is not about the Kosel, toiveling or any other religious ceremony – but for the Reform it is all about receiving official recognition, nothing else.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)