Dispute Between Shas and Religious Zionism Delays Appointment of Community Rabbis

A new tension has emerged within the Israeli coalition government as a dispute between Shas and Religious Zionism is delaying the appointment of community rabbis across the country. Prior to the elections, Shas chairman Aryeh Deri and Religious Zionism leader and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich agreed to advance the appointments of about 60 community rabbis nationwide. However, the process has stalled because, according to Shas, Smotrich refuses to approve the advancement.

The core of the disagreement centers on appointments in the West Bank settlements. Religious Zionism demands that the appointments include rabbis in these areas, while Shas argues that it is currently not technically feasible to carry out these appointments. Religious Zionism has taken a firm stance, stating they will not approve a partial move: "Either there are appointments in the West Bank, or there are no appointments at all," party officials clarified.

This conflict adds to another recent dispute between the two parties, as earlier the same day Religious Zionism delayed the final approval of the kosher certification law in the Public Projects Committee chaired by MK Ohad Tal. These ongoing disagreements highlight growing tensions between the coalition partners over various religion and state issues.