The Knesset's Committee for Public Projects on Wednesday approved the Shas-backed kashrut bill for second and third readings, moving it one step from final passage. The bill, which would repeal the previous government's kashrut reform (the Kahana reform), is expected to go to the plenum next week, subject to revisions.
The Knesset's Committee for Public Projects voted Wednesday morning to approve the Shas kashrut bill for second and third readings, placing it one step from becoming law. The bill, which would repeal the 2021 kashrut reform overseen by then-Religious Services Minister Matan Kahana, now heads to the Knesset plenum for final votes, likely next week, with possible revisions still pending.
The legislation has been a central coalition priority for Shas, which has pushed to restore the Chief Rabbinate's exclusive control over kosher certification. The Zioneer has previously reported on the economic stakes: Treasury estimates put the cost of repeal at 750 million shekels, including 600 million in lost revenue for restaurants and hotels that adopted private certification under the reform, and 150 million for state employment of kashrut supervisors. The bill has also sparked coalition friction, with Religious Zionism MK Ohad Tal proposing amendments to increase transparency, as The Zioneer reported late last month.
The committee vote follows months of legislative maneuvering. The bill was initially delayed after United Torah Judaism opposed a related Shas authority-transfer bill, which was pulled from the agenda in early July. The final plenum vote next week will determine whether the reform survives, though the coalition appears to have the necessary majority. Critics warn the repeal could undermine the growing private kashrut market and raise costs for consumers.
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