Knesset Repeals Kashrut Reform, Restoring Chief Rabbinate's Authority

Israel's Knesset approved overnight (between Tuesday and Wednesday), in its second and third readings, a bill repealing the previous government's kashrut reform. The legislation passed by a vote of 46-41.

The reform, advanced by former Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana, would have allowed the Chief Rabbinate to serve as a regulatory authority authorizing additional bodies to issue kashrut certificates. The Haredi parties and some members of the Religious Zionist camp opposed the reform, arguing that it would weaken the authority and status of the Chief Rabbinate.

The explanatory notes accompanying the newly approved bill state: "The nature of the kashrut system requires that kashrut services remain public in order to protect the broader public interest, including transparency, objectivity, and public accountability. The granting and supervision of kashrut certification should not be influenced by the significant economic interests present in the food industry, which may create conflicts of interest and lead to improper considerations."

Former Religious Services Minister and Shas MK Michael Malchieli welcomed the vote, saying: "After years of determined efforts led by Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, we have succeeded in reversing the Kahana reform, which threatened to breach the walls of kashrut in the Holy Land."

He added that the new legislation would introduce "many important corrections, some of them historic," strengthen the Chief Rabbinate and local rabbis, regulate the employment of kashrut supervisors, and, "contrary to the false claims spread by interested parties, even help reduce the cost of living for all Israeli citizens."