Rabbinate Council Overrules Director-General on Tzohar License

The Chief Rabbinate Council issued a July 2 decision, reported at 15:55 IDT and 16:07 IDT, saying it does not approve the license that the Rabbinate director-general gave Tzohar Food Supervision to operate as a kosher-certifying body. The council said the matter was not brought to the council or its kashrut committee, and that the relevant materials must be transferred without delay so it can use its 30-day review window. The move narrows the earlier license announcement into a live legal and halachic dispute. Israel should protect recognized kashrut options while respecting the Chief Rabbinate's public duty to guard national standards and proper procedure.