Israel Police officials on Monday evening 1 Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5774 announced it was stepping up security for MK (The Movement) Elazar Stern in light of his controversial statements of late. Stern will be assigned a body guard.

Stern was the subject of harsh criticism from the dati leumi community for his remarks against Rabbi Dov Lior Shlita, accusing the latter of discriminating against Jews from Ethiopia. Supporters of the posek have since shown Stern’s remarks to be far from reality, demanding an apology for publically insulting a talmid chacham. That apology has not been heard as of yet.

Stern’s remarks led to a young man spitting in his face outside of shul.

The left-wing capitalized on the spitting event, stating such a provocative act could lead to another political assassination, referring to the 1995 assassination of Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin.

In addition, Stern’s daughter told Channel 10 News that she is concerned for his safety in light of the spitting incident and the hostile atmosphere among many pertaining to him.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)