By Anash.org reporter
An Israeli lawmaker from the left-wing “Democrats” party called for a criminal investigation into Harav Gedalia Axelroda senior Chabad official and former Av Beis Din of Chaifa, following a halakhic ruling he made regarding the formation of an Israeli government supported by Arab political parties.
MK Michel Rozin on Thursday called on authorities to investigate Harav Axelrod, accusing him of inciting violence and racism following a letter he published earlier this week.
In his letter, Harav Axelrod warns against establishing a government with the participation or support of Arab parties, ruling that political leaders who facilitate such a government fall into the halachic category of those whose actions endanger the lives of others.
He further warned that lawmakers who allowed such a government to form by abstaining from voting would also bear responsibility for endangering Jewish lives.
Rozin responded on X, saying the rov’s statements crossed the line between religious expression and criminal incitement.
She made comparisons with the period before the assassination of the Israeli prime minister in 1995. Yitzchak Rabinwarning that similar speeches to political leaders had preceded acts of violence.
The controversy comes amid statements from the Democratic president. Yair Golanwho advocated the formation of a government with the participation of Arab parties. Golan also called for an end to what he described as a “racist separation” between Jewish and Arab votes when determining which political bloc can form a government.
Following the publication of the Harav Axelrod letter, the Center for Victims of Racism filed an urgent complaint with the Israel Police, the Attorney General and the Attorney General’s Office, demanding an investigation into possible crimes of inciting violence, soliciting murder and inciting racism.
Calls for criminal charges against the 85-year-old veteran have drawn criticism from Israeli civil rights organization B’Tsalmo.
Its director, Shai Glickaccused left-wing politicians and organizations of trying to silence rabbis by threatening them with criminal prosecution.
“The Knesset has only just begun and the silencing has already begun,” Glick said.
He called on prosecutors to dismiss the complaint, arguing that rabbis and public figures should not face criminal prosecution simply for expressing their religious and halakhic positions.
In response to the controversy, Chabad spokesperson Rabbi Shimi Segal clarified that Harav Axelrod’s statements do not represent Chabad’s official position.
“Chabad’s official halakhic positions are determined exclusively by the Chabad Rabbinical Court, in accordance with the Rebbe’s instructions,” he said. “Rabbi Axelrod is not a member of the court and does not hold a leadership position within the Chabad movement. His statements and letters reflect his personal views only.”
Gn world
