41.   The high court reserved decision Thursday on a petition that would force the religious affairs minister to accept Reform and Conservative Jews serving on local religious councils.

42.   The prime minister has promised that if efforts at compromise failed, he would back Orthodox legislation counteracting any court ruling on conversions and the religious councils.

43.   The Reform and Conservative movements submitted a petition to the Supreme Court on Tuesday, demanding that a Conservative Jew be allowed to serve on a local religious council.

44.   The religious councils oversee such Jewish services such as the supervision of kosher eating establishments and the licensing of ritual baths.

45.   The reduction in the size of the religious councils will take place after May and will not affect the upcoming Haifa religious council meeting, Malka said.

46.   The religious councils disburse money to synagogues and supervise kosher eateries and ritual baths.

47.   The strike affected city offices, regional councils, religious councils, government companies and day care centers.

48.   Ultra-orthodox lawmaker Yosef Lazerson threatened to call a strike of the religious councils if Reform and Conservative members are allowed to participate.

49.   Women delegates planned to form their own religious council to ensure equal representation.