Jerusalem, Israel - Knesset Member Ofir Pines-Paz has introduced a bill that would prohibit Jews from trying to persuade anyone under the age of 18 to practice religious traditions, such as putting on phylacteries (tefillin. The Labor MK wants to imprison violators for six months for "pressuring minors from families" who do not practice Jewish traditions.
He said the bill also would apply to anyone trying to discourage Jews from being observant. MK Pines-Paz explained that pressure to observe or to discard religious practices "can cause the break-up of a family and cause damage to minors."