Netanyahu: Israel to invest directly in its Conservative, Reform communities

[6chars]

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Netanyahu-Israel-to-invest-directly-in-its-Conservative-Reform-communities-432622

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu generated both warm praise and fierce condemnation Tuesday night after he announced that the government would directly fund Reform and Conservative Jewish communities in Israel.

The statement was welcomed by the non-Orthodox Jewish denominations but denounced by senior haredi political leadership as contravening coalition agreements with the ultra-Orthodox political parties.

“I want to guarantee one thing to each and everyone of you. As prime minister of Israel, I will always ensure that all Jews can feel at home in Israel, Reform Jews, Conservative Jews, Orthodox Jews, all Jews,” the prime minister said during his speech to the annual General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America in Washington.

...

“For the first time, the government of Israel is joining, with the Jewish Agency, to invest in strengthening Reform and Conservative communities within Israel,” Netanyahu declared.

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This is good news for Israel and a good step by Netanyahu. Waiting to hear the crickets praise it.

[villager]

1. Let's see what happens to marriages, recognition of conversions, etc.

...before we start praising this "new" Netanyahu.

[6chars]

3. all of that is important

The orthodox - secular dichotomy is not healthy for Israel and not healthy for its relationship with US Jews. Netanyahu is not Orthodox, so this step is probably his personal preference. My guess is this kind of support for the Conservative and Reform movements would have a longer term impact building momentum for legal changes. Short term, I doubt Netanyahu would put those changes on the agenda at a time that his coalition has a one seat majority.

[villager]

4. Hopefully *these* changes will be enough to start fraying that coalition!

Which can only be good for Israel....

[COLGATE4]

2. A good first step. nt

[Mosby]

5. good for Bibi

This is a big deal, he alluded to changes at the Kotel as well.

[leftynyc]

6. Good news

I was disgusted when bibi got into bed with people who don't even consider me Jewish in order to form a government coalition. Time to smack down the haredi and let them know they're only a slice of the pie.

[grossproffit]

7. *crickets*