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1 Av 5759 - July 14, 1999 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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News
Concern Over Justice Minister's Remarks

by Betzalel Kahn

The new Justice Minister, Yossi Beilin, spoke pointedly against the Jewish laws of marriage as they are implemented in the laws of the State of Israel, while professing his goal of changing this.

Beilin made these remarks at a changeover ceremony in the Justice Ministry. Although it is the custom at such ceremonies for outgoing and incoming officials to merely exchange good wishes, Beilin deviated from the norm and made a series of public remarks. He said that he intends to use the office as a springboard to implement his beliefs.

Minister Beilin said that, "the fact that our marriage laws are forced upon us by halocho is very serious, in my opinion. It is hard for me to live with this. I can neither accept nor reconcile myself with this situation." Beilin continued with harsh comments about the laws of chalitza, yibum and other Jewish laws of marriage, adding that he is aware of the fact that it will not be easy to effect changes in these areas.

He concluded by saying that he will not resign himself to the fact that he must continue with the situation as it is today.

In reaction to Beilin's disturbing remarks, MK Rabbi Moshe Gafni said, "Beilin is not in the opposition; he is the Justice Minister in the State of Israel. On his first day on the job he had no right to prove to the entire world that he is ill-fated. He must realize that on the very day the system makes even the slightest attempt to undermine the infrastructure of our existence as a Jewish nation in the land of Israel, he will no longer be the Justice Minister, and there will be no government."

Rav Gafni then added: "UTJ did not refuse cabinet positions in order to enable the Justice Ministry to undermine all that is sacred and dear to us. We did it in order to safeguard our hallowed values. Whoever thinks that UTJ did not take positions because it is weak will shortly see that this move stems from extraordinary strength and resolve, which we hope we will not have to prove."


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