The Ministerial Committee for Legislation approved a bill Sunday morning that would give the interior minister and religious services minister the final say in the destruction or rezoning of all religious buildings in the country.
According to the bill, introduced by Shas MK Avraham Michaeli, there are many instances in which buildings that have been used for religious purposes for many years are slated for destruction or rezoning that would constitute a desecration of the site’s holiness and disregard the sensitivities of religious communities.
The bill also cites restrictions within Jewish law for changing the designated use of a building or property from holy to non-sanctified purposes.
However, MK Nitzan Horowitz of Meretz expressed sharp opposition to the bill, stating that it constituted an attempt by Interior Minister Eli Yishai and Religious Services Minister Ya’acov Margi, both of Shas, to take control over religious properties.
Read More: @ jpost.com
You might also like: