Israel Police is recommending a criminal investigation against Haifa’s chief rabbi, Rabbi Shlomo Shalush. The rav also serves as av beis din for the rabbinical courts in the northern district. Following the police investigation, police are of the opinion that there is sufficient evidence to charge the rav with bribery, breach of trust and related white collar crimes.

The investigation shows the rav granted kosher supervision to a number of factories under the Haifa Rabbinate’s jurisdiction against protocol because they were major donors to tzedaka organizations headed by the rav. There are also allegations against the rav that he tried to extort members of the local religious council in an ongoing power struggle.

The file has been handed over by police to the state prosecutor’s office and an indictment is expected to follow.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)