Copy to: International Human Rights and Protection of Freedom of Conscience and Religion Organizations

In August of this year the Government of Ariel Sharon made a decision to dismantle the Ministry of Religious Affairs and transfer responsibility for the rabbinic courts to the Ministry of Justice and its head Yossi Lapid, the most antireligious politician in Israel.

This decision abolishes the independence of religious organizations and its financial structures. It is directed against the religious part of the population and infringes upon the rights and interests of the religious population. This is discrimination and a direct violation of human rights.

The decision of the League of Nations in 1921 and decision of the United Nations in 1947 were to establish in Palestine a National Home for the Jewish people. Judaism is what defines the Jewish people for the whole world and is an inalienable part of it. Thus, any actions against religion, with the specific goal of its restriction are directed against the Jewish character of the State, against a National Home for the Jewish people and, are, therefore, direct violations of the decisions of these International Organizations.

The first Cabinet of Ministers of Israel headed by Ben Gurion, was created in 1949. The Ministry of Religion was created at the same time and was a member of the Cabinet. The plan that the Government had was, quote, that "the Government will keep this status quo of religion in the State". This principle was never violated since Israel was established.

The decision of abolishment of the Ministry of Religion can come into effect only after the Knesset approves it. We urge You personally and all members of Knesset not only to vote against this decision, but also to condemn this initiative as a violation of democracy and the rights of the religious population and one directed against establishment of the Jewish State in accordance with the above decision of the United Nations.

Finally, we want to stress that the transfer of control of religious life to the militant activist of an antireligious movement who called the abolishment of the Ministry of Religion " the very important step of secular revolution" (Yosef Lapid) can be considered an intentional humiliation of a religious population with the goal of elimination of religion in the State.

Mr. Rivlin, please remind Mr. Sharon and all Likud Members of Knesset the words of the Likud founder Menachem Begin that he said on May 15, 1948: "For Israel survival the National component must be combined with Religion component."

Sincerely,

Chairman Mr. Raevsky Vitaly (856) 482-6599 Cherry Hill NJ Branch Coordinator mr. Belavsky Leonid (972) 664-1147 Dallas TX Branch Coordinator mr. Daskovsky Vadim (301)251-2727 Rockville

MD Branch Coordinator mr. Dimshitz Alex (425) 883-7095 Seattle

WA Branch Coordinator mrs Gitis . Eugenya (410) 764-0952 Baltimore

MD Branch Coordinator mr.Fainleb Lazar (215)742-3334 Philadelphia PA Branch Coordinator mr.Kaganov Symon (303)758-0079 Denver

CO Branch Coordinator mr. Margolin Michael (856)751-0255 Cherry Hill

NJ Branch Coordinator mr.Opendic Vladimir (718)769-1865 Brooklyn NY Branch Coordinator mrs.Pello Sabina (773)338-5055 Chicago

IL Branch Coordinator mr.Rempel Yan (215)953-9162 Langhorne

PA Branch Coordinator mr.Rivkin Boris (415)333-3466 San Francisco CA Branch Coordinator mr.Smilansky Vitaly (781)593-7937 Lynn

MA Branch Coordinator mrs.Shwartz Nehama (212)475-4088 New York NY Branch Coordinator mr.Shustef Boris (585)461-5549 Rochester

NY Committee for Jewish National Home Eretz Yisrael

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