Chief Rabbinate Declares Certification License Granted to Tzohar Invalid for Now

The Chief Rabbinate's legal advisor, Yaakov Ofer, informed Tzohar Food Supervision Ltd. that the license recently granted to the organization to issue kosher certificates is currently invalid and cannot be relied upon or used to issue official kosher certifications. This announcement comes just days after Tzohar received official approval to operate as a kosher certification body, following a prolonged legal process including a Supreme Court petition.

The letter emphasized that Tzohar must immediately notify all businesses that have received kosher certificates under this license that the license is not valid at this stage. The legal advisor clarified that this position does not prevent Tzohar from presenting its arguments to the Chief Rabbinate Council or the courts through the proper administrative channels.

This development follows a behind-the-scenes conflict revealed by C14 between the outgoing Chief Rabbinate CEO, Yehuda Cohen, who granted the license contrary to the Chief Rabbinate Council and the Ministry of Religious Services' stance, and the Ministry's CEO, Yehuda Avidan, who declared the license invalid because it was not approved by the Chief Rabbinate Council as required by law. The Chief Rabbinate Council also stated it has not yet received the necessary documents to review the decision.

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions within Israel's religious authorities regarding kosher certification authority and regulatory procedures. The Chief Rabbinate has indicated that the issue will be examined through the formal legal process prescribed by law.