{
  "id": 20126775,
  "title": "Want to save Jews? Do not give the Interior Ministry to the haredim - opinion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/want-to-save-jews-do-not-give-the-interior-ministry-to-the-haredim",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-15T06:36:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-914487"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The formation of a new Israeli government coalition is fraught with challenges, much like the sausage-making process. The current coalition led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu involves numerous ultra-Orthodox parties, including the Haredim, which presents a significant obstacle to creating a viable government. Central to the issue is the Interior Ministry, an essential department that plays a pivotal role in determining who is eligible for Israeli citizenship. The Haredim have been in charge of this ministry for over two decades, consistently excluding non-Orthodox Jews based on their strict and subjective criteria. This approach not only disregards the secular Law of Return, which guarantees citizenship to Jews and their descendants, but also undermines the inclusivity and diversity of the nation. With only a small fraction of the global Jewish population identifying as Orthodox, the current system is inherently biased. By maintaining control over the Interior Ministry, the Haredim are essentially disenfranchising a significant portion of the Jewish world, including those who have long sought to reconnect with their heritage. This exclusionary policy is not only unjust but also counterproductive, as it alienates potential allies and supporters within the Jewish community. In a world where antisemitism is on the rise and Jewish populations are increasingly seeking refuge in Israel, the Interior Ministry should be led by a government that is more sympathetic and inclusive. It is crucial that leaders in Israel understand the gravity of this situation and take immediate action to ensure that the Interior Ministry is no longer a tool for discrimination. The welfare of Jewish people worldwide, particularly those living in the Diaspora, depends on this decision. It is time for a change that embraces diversity, recognizes the rights of all Jews, and reflects the true spirit of the Jewish homeland.",
  "summary": "At a time of rising antisemitism, Israel should welcome Diaspora Jews rather than make them feel unwelcome because of their faith.",
  "key_points": [
    "Haredim have controlled Interior Ministry for over two decades",
    "Ministry determines Israeli citizenship eligibility",
    "Exclusion of non-Orthodox Jews undermines inclusivity"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Relinquishing Haredi control over the Interior Ministry would end decades of exclusionary citizenship policies that currently alienate the global Jewish diaspora and undermine the nation's inclusivity.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}