A case against Tzfas Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu for alleged racist statements attributed to the rav was closed due to a lack of evidence. The investigation was based on media statements attributed to the rav, statements against Arabs and renting and selling property to Arabs.
Attorney General Weinstein announced on Sunday, that despite the statements attributed to the rav, there is insufficient evidence that can prove he made the statements, leading to the decision to close the case.
Investigators spoke with the rav as well as interviewing members of the press who quoted the rabbi but the decision was made that there simply was not enough credible evidence against Rabbi Eliyahu to proceed with a criminal indictment. The quotes of the rabbi’s alleged words lack accuracy and the legal experts feel there is not enough evidence to move ahead with an indictment for incitement against the rabbi.
After hearing of the attorney general’s decision Rabbi Eliyahu is quoted as calling on rabbonim to stand firm and state their opinions and not be afraid to have their words heard.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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2 Responses
Everything Rav Eliyahu has said has been direct quotes from Shulchan Aruch. A rov’s duty is to pasken according to the halacha, regardless of any law or government edict against it. It’s a chiyuv mid’oraisa to do so: לא תגורו מפני איש. Rabbi Akiva was moser nefesh for it, kal vachomer that a rov in Israel must risk firing or imprisonment for it.
RAV Shmuel Eliyahu