Local Leaders Criticize Shas-Led Kashrut Law for Forcing Costly Hiring on Municipalities

Three Israeli local government heads sharply criticized the Shas party's proposed Kashrut Fraud Prevention Law currently under discussion in the Knesset. In an urgent letter sent Wednesday to Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, they condemned the bill for mandating the employment of thousands of kosher supervisors at the expense of local government budgets. The letter, signed by Central Local Government Chair and Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut Mayor Haim Bibas, Regional Council Chair and Merhavim Local Council Head Shay Hajaj, and Tel Aviv-Yafo Mayor and Forum of 15 Chair Ron Huldai, warned that the proposal lacks proper funding arrangements and would impose significant financial burdens on municipalities.

They also criticized the rapid and seemingly reckless legislative process, expressing concerns about potential extraneous motives influencing the bill's advancement. The law, promoted by Shas, aims to restore the Chief Rabbinate's monopoly over kosher certification by banning private certification bodies such as Tzohar. It requires businesses to obtain kosher certification exclusively from the Chief Rabbinate's council, with thousands of kosher supervisors added to religious councils funded by the state to increase oversight.

Under the bill, businesses without official certification from the Chief Rabbinate would be prohibited from presenting themselves as kosher, and falsely claiming kosher status without approval would constitute a criminal offense punishable by fines. The local leaders argue this will force municipalities to bear the cost of thousands of new supervisory positions, straining public coffers and local budgets.