Knesset Reinstates Chief Rabbinate Control Over Kashrut Certification

Overview

• Wednesday's overnight Knesset vote approved repeal of the 2021 kashrus privatization by 46-41, formally ending the legal authorization for private kosher-certification bodies.
• The new law returns exclusive authority to issue kashrus certificates to the Council of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel, authorized local rabbis and the IDF Military Rabbinate.
• It creates a detailed regulatory framework that sets kashrus standards, defines the employment and status of mashgichim, establishes inspection and oversight procedures, and requires annual reporting to the Knesset.
• Supporters including MK Michael Malkieli and Israel’s Chief Rabbi praised the measure as restoring public trust and tightening oversight, while Tzohar and business groups warned the change concentrates power, cuts competition and could raise costs for food businesses.
• The repeal was pushed through in a late-night legislative marathon before an expected Knesset dissolution and reverses the 2021 Economic Arrangements law that had opened the kashrus market to private certifiers.