New procedure: PM to approve chief rabbis' trips abroad

The government has approved Interior Minister Eli Yishai's proposal that the rime minister, or a minister on his behalf, would approve chief rabbis' trips abroad. Minister Yishai said that "this matter should be regulated, and the same thing should apply to ministers and deputy ministers."

The proposal also includes the rabbis' trips which are not funded by the State. In such a case, the approval would rely on the opinions of the attorney general and the Chief Rabbinate's legal advisor. (Roni Sofer)