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MASORTI MOVEMENT APPLAUDS PINES-PAZ APPOINTMENT
by Mati Wagner, Jerusalem Post, Dec. 26, 2004
The Masorti (Conservative) Movement's head, Rabbi Ehud Bandel was ecstatic Sunday about the appointment of Labor MK Ophir Pines-Paz as Interior Minister, but warned him not to be overpowered by his underlings like his predecessor was.
"Ophir is a member of our Ramot congregation and he is a major supporter of civil, Reform and Conservative marriages as a member of the forum for free choice in marriages," said Bandel.
"We are very happy that we will have someone sympathetic to the religious pluralism cause at the ministry.
"But he should make it clear to all the clerks and functionaries at the ministry that the leadership is in his hands.
"He should not be held captive by them like [MK Avraham] Poraz was."
Bandel said that he has also worked closely with Isaac Herzog, who finished second after Pines-Paz in Labor's ministerial election.
Herzog, who chose the Construction and Housing portfolio, was instrumental as cabinet secretary under Prime Minister Ehud Barak in securing an agreement between the Masorti movement and the government for mixed-gender prayer services at Robinson's Arch, at the southern end of the Kotel.
"For the past four years men and women can join in prayer together at the Kotel thanks in great part to Isaac."
Bandel said he hopes Pines-Paz would work toward the recognition of conversions performed by Conservative rabbis abroad and in Israel, in accordance with a High Court decision.
"I realize that the present government was established mainly to push ahead with the disengagement plan.
"But I hope religious pluralism is also advanced."
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