Advancing legislation
One of the significant arenas in promoting public change is the Knesset, the House of Legislature where the laws that affect us all are established. As an organization that promotes public change, we often find ourselves required to come to the Knesset, whether for the purpose of promoting bills, preventing harmful bills, or participating in the various Knesset committees.
The laws we have submitted, advanced or amended include:
The position of Mavoi Satum towards the discussion of the impact of the legal reform on women (march 2023)
The position of Mavoi Satum in preparation for the debate on the impact of the legal reform on women is relevant especially in light of the agreements to expand their powers to act as arbitrators.
Mavoi Satum’s position in preparation for review by the Minister of Religious Services and the committee (march 2023)
The organization argued as follows; since the Knesset’s Interior Committee is responsible for the rabbinical courts, it should assume responsibility for solving the Agunah problem.
work processes document of the Agunot Department – the management of the rabbinic courts
View the work processes document of the Agunot Department – the management of the rabbinic courts
Amendment to the Rabbinical Courts Law (Upholding Rulings on Divorce) – Restrictions on those who refuse to grant a divorce, 5755-1995
In 1995, the ‘Law for the Enforcement of Judgments’ was enacted, also known as the ‘Sanctions Law’. This law allows the Rabbinical Court to impose restraining orders on those who refuse a divorce in cases where the ruling is not complied with.
Some of the sanctions that can be imposed on the refuser by virtue of the law are: an order forbidding leaving the country, foreclosure of a bank account, revocation of a driver’s license and even imprisonment.
Bill (Marriage and Divorce) (Amendment – Cancellation of Binding), 2021 – 5781
In accordance with this bill, marriages and divorces of Jews in Israel, citizens of the state or its residents will remain under the unique jurisdiction of rabbinical courts. However, it is proposed to abolish the possibility of involving related matters in the divorce proceedings in the Rabbinical Court.
Bill to amend the Marriage and Divorce Ordinance (Registration) (repeal of section 7), 5758 – [10] 2017
In this bill, it was proposed to repeal section 7 of the law altogether. Pursuant to this section, a person who does not register his marriage or divorce will be punished with two years of imprisonment. This provision may apply to any couple conducting a private marriage ceremony without registration.
Imprisonment for spouses who performed a private marriage ceremony constitutes a violation of fundamental rights to religious freedom and the privacy of the individual and is in conflict with the values of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state.
The Sperm Bank Bill (Artificial Insemination and Fertilization in Separated Spouses), 2018
A bill that will allow an agunah or women who are refused a divorce to receive the services of the sperm bank in order to give birth to children who are not considered bastards by law.
Bill to amend the Marriage and Divorce Ordinance (Prenuptial Agreements), 5774- 2013
The purpose of this bill is to prevent divorce refusal by the bride and groom signing a prenuptial agreement.
It was proposed that the prenuptial agreement include the prohibition of the termination of the marriage on ancillary matters, such as child custody, child support and education, financial matters and more. In addition, it was proposed that the agreement provide for a financial incentive paid by a refusing spouse to the spouse seeking to terminate the marriage until the actual termination of the marriage.
Actually, prenuptial agreements already exist in practice but many couples avoid signing them. Hence, it was proposed to make them the norm in law.
Civil Marriage Permit Bill (Amendments to Legislation), 2013
The purpose of this bill is to stipulate that the authority to discuss the dissolution of the marriage of spouses who have chosen to marry in a civil marriage outside Israel, despite their ability to marry in Israel, will be determined in the courts for family matters.
The Dayanim Bill (Amendment – Competence of the Director of the Rabbinical Courts), 5770-2010
The purpose of the proposal is to allow the appointment of a woman to the position of Director of the Rabbinical Courts. This, in contrast to the current legal situation, wherein almost only men serve in the rabbinical courts. It proposes to bring about the abolition of the unique requirement for eligibility for rabbinate, which in Israel is given to men only.
