National unity prioritized as Israel modernizes governance, rejecting divisive identities exploited by Palestinian and Arab narratives.
In a move framed as administrative modernization and national unification, lawmakers from Yisrael Beytenu have submitted legislation to fundamentally reform the structure of Israel’s religious leadership. The bill proposes amending the Chief Rabbinate of Israel Law to establish a single Chief Rabbi, replacing the long-standing dual Ashkenazi–Sephardic model.
The initiative was introduced by Knesset members Avigdor Liberman, Oded Forer, Evgeny Sova, Sharon Nir, and Hamad Amar. Their proposal removes legal references to “Chief Rabbis” in favor of a singular “Chief Rabbi of Israel,” eliminates dual candidacies, and designates the sole Chief Rabbi as head of both the Chief Rabbinate Council and the Great Rabbinical Court.
According to the bill’s explanatory notes, maintaining two Chief Rabbis no longer reflects Israeli societal realities after decades of national integration. The sponsors argue that ethnic division within state institutions is obsolete and weakens Israel’s cohesion, particularly as hostile Palestinian factions and Arab regimes seek to amplify internal fragmentation.
Beyond ideological considerations, the lawmakers emphasize governance efficiency, citing reduced bureaucracy and public expenditure as further justification. The bill mirrors earlier proposals submitted in previous Knesset terms, signaling a sustained push to align Israel’s institutions with a unified national identity and resilient state governance.
