Jerusalem, February 25, 2026 — In response to the Knesset advancing a bill that would grant the Chief Rabbinate exclusive authority over holy places, The Jewish Agency for Israel issues the following statement:

We were saddened to learn that earlier today, the bill to amend the Holy Places Law passed its preliminary reading, despite our efforts to prevent it. For many within the Jewish people, this represents a deep rift and a serious affront to Jewish communities around the world.

The Jewish Agency represents the entire Jewish people – across all streams – in Israel and abroad. It helped formulate the agreements that led to the Kotel Outline, intended to strengthen, unity and ensure that every Jew, in Israel and worldwide, feels a sense of belonging to the Jewish people.

The amendment that passed in preliminary reading will not strengthen the sanctity of the holy places. Instead, it risks deepening divisions within the Jewish people and distancing large parts of our global community from them.

Millions of Jews around the world are deeply connected to the State of Israel – in spirit and in action. They stood by Israel before its establishment and have supported it through moments of crisis and historic milestones. To distance them from the holiest site of the Jewish people because of their faith or religious practice is a grave and dangerous step.

Our position, on behalf of Jewish communities worldwide, is clear: The State of Israel must enable every Jew to pray and practice according to their beliefs – without exclusion from the holy places and regardless of denominational affiliation. In these sensitive and complex times, we must build bridges, not barriers. Our strength lies in our unity – as one people.

The leadership of the Jewish Agency will consult with its partners in the coming days, and together we will consider the appropriate steps to prevent the bill from advancing further.

Media Contact:
Jake Sharfman, JCubed Communications
Jake@jcubedpr.com

About The Jewish Agency for Israel:

Since 1929, The Jewish Agency for Israel has been working to secure a vibrant Jewish future. Today, The Jewish Agency acts collectively to strengthen Israel and the Jewish people worldwide—by advancing Aliyah as a core value, deepening connections between our global Jewish family, supporting the resilience and security of global Jewish communities, and encouraging every Jewish person to engage with Israel. The Jewish Agency also continues to be the Jewish world’s first responder, prepared to address the Jewish people’s greatest challenges and respond to emergencies in Israel, and to rescue Jews from countries where they are at risk.