November 17, 2010 / 10 Kislev 5771

“The important endeavor of IDF conversions allows thousands of young people serving in the army to fully join Israel society”, Jewish Agency chairman Natan Sharansky said today.

The Chairman of the Jewish Agency said that he is concerned over the postponement of yesterday’s discussion in the ministerial law committee on the bill concerning army conversions. “We need to cement in law regulations ensuring the validity of these conversions, and this should be done by a government bill,” said Sharansky.

“These young people who are serving in the IDF significantly contribute to the State of Israel and in many cases put their lives on the line for the Jewish People. The allegation heard in certain quarters that their conversion, their joining up with the Jewish People, is insincere is totally outlandish.

The bill, submitted recently by MK David Rotem and MK Robert Ilatov, asks to put into law a comprehensive prohibition on state institutions placing doubt on army conversions, including religious bodies and rabbinic councils. It also proscribes the cancellation of conversions done in the army framework.