Netanyahu opposes Conversion Bill

AP:

Israel's prime minister says he will oppose a bill on conversions to Judaism that has angered liberal Jewish groups worldwide.

Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he fears the legislation making its way through Israel's parliament would create a rift in the Jewish world.

Last week, a parliamentary committee in Israel gave preliminary approval to draft legislation that would give Orthodox rabbis in Israel more control over conversions, a sensitive issue that goes to the heart of the age-old question of who is a Jew.

The majority of Jews outside Israel belong to the Reform and Conservative movements whose religious practices are less strict.