The Israeli parliament (Knesset) has passed a new law regarding kosher regulations and the certification system following lengthy deliberations. The bill was approved with 46 votes in favor and 41 against.
Under the new law, the right of private organizations to issue kosher certificates is revoked. This authority is returned to the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, local authorized rabbis, and the Israel Defense Forces Rabbinate for military facilities.
The law also defines kosher supervision, the issuance of certificates, and inspection procedures. The main purpose of the document is to strengthen oversight mechanisms and eliminate potential financial dependencies between inspectors and the establishments they monitor.
This issue is linked to reforms that began in 2021. At that time, private organizations were granted the right to issue kosher certificates. The goal of the reform was to increase competition in this sector, reduce prices, and improve the quality of services. During that period, new organizations such as "Tzohar" had entered the market.
However, the Chief Rabbinate and ultra-Orthodox Jewish leaders opposed these changes. They believed that a private certification system could weaken kosher standards and undermine a unified oversight mechanism.
Following the passage of the new law, the debate has returned to the forefront. Religious parties supported the decision, stating that it would bring more order to the system. The opposition, however, characterized the move as a political compromise that reduces competition and increases the influence of religious institutions.
Thus, the return of the kosher system to state control demonstrates that long-standing debates regarding religion and state relations in Israel continue.
It should be noted that kosher (in Hebrew "kashrut") refers to food products prepared in accordance with Jewish religious laws and permitted for consumption. These rules determine which foods can be eaten, how they must be prepared, and the principles for supervising food products. A kosher certificate is a document confirming that a product or establishment complies with these religious requirements.