National-Religious Rabbis Join Charedim in Opposing Reform

Several prominent national-religious rabbis have published an open letter in support of the Israeli government decisions to suspend the Kosel plan and advance a bill to give the Chief Rabbinate sole authority over conversion, Arutz Sheva reported on Sunday.

“It is our wish to welcome and strengthen the government of Israel and the person who heads it, Mr. Binyamin Netanyahu, for his important decision to preserve the sanctity of the Kosel and his efforts in strengthening the state conversion system, steps which fortify the Jewish character of the state and protect the unity of the Jewish people,” the rabbis wrote.

Among the senior rabbinical figures who signed the letter were: Chief Rabbi of Tzefas Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, Chief Rabbi of Petah Tikva Rabbi Michah Halevi, dean of the Ateret Yerushalayim Yeshiva Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, and regional chief rabbi of the Shomron district Rabbi Elyakim Levanon.

They praised Netanyahu for what they described as his “courageous” stand “in the face of growing and heightened pressure from the Reform.”