Secret Deal Between Aryeh Deri and Shlomo Karai Advances Kashrut and Media Reforms in Israel

A covert agreement between Shlomo Karai, Israel's Minister of Communications, and Aryeh Deri, leader of the Shas party, has come to light amid ongoing political negotiations involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ultra-Orthodox parties. While public attention recently focused on Netanyahu's deal with the ultra-Orthodox factions, sources within the United Torah Judaism party revealed that Karai and Deri struck a separate arrangement. This deal links the advancement of a media reform bill, important to Karai, with the promotion of a Kashrut reform crucial to Deri.

The Kashrut reform, which has already passed its first reading in the Knesset, aims to restore exclusive control over kosher certification to the Chief Rabbinate, effectively reversing a previous reform by former Minister Matan Kahana that opened the market to competition. The new legislation will eliminate alternative kosher certification providers, centralize authority under local religious councils, and create tens of millions of shekels in new supervisory positions. Critics warn this will increase food prices and overall living costs.

Previously, some ultra-Orthodox representatives opposed Karai's media reform, fearing it would lead to Sabbath desecration and the broadcast of indecent content under government auspices. United Torah Judaism chairman Yitzhak Goldknopf explicitly told Karai he could not support the bill without addressing these concerns. Despite this, the media reform bill, which includes establishing a government-funded app to provide free broadcasts, is expected to advance as part of the deal.

The Kashrut reform's financial implications have raised concerns within the Finance Ministry, which warns of significant budgetary costs due to the employment of thousands of kosher supervisors by local religious authorities. The bill, sponsored by the government, is slated for a final vote soon. This development marks a significant shift in both the kosher certification system and the Israeli media landscape, reflecting complex political negotiations within the ruling coalition.