Chief Rabbinate Rejects Kashrut License for Tzohar Despite Initial Approval

After years of dispute, the Tzohar organization was initially granted a license to provide kosher certification by the Chief Rabbinate's director general. However, the Ministry of Religious Services' director general quickly issued an urgent letter stating that the approval has no validity, as it was not authorized by the Chief Rabbinate Council. The Chief Rabbinate Council then aligned with this position, declaring in their own letter that they do not permit granting the license to Tzohar at this stage.

Currently, Tzohar provides kosher supervision in some locations, but according to Israeli law, establishments cannot label themselves as "kosher" unless under the official supervision of the Chief Rabbinate. This ongoing conflict highlights the tension between the Chief Rabbinate and Tzohar regarding kosher certification authority.