Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein joins a growing list of officials opposing the candidacy of Tzfas Chief Sephardi Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, who is a contender to become Israel’s next Sephardi Chief Rabbi.

Weinstein plans to summons Rav Eliyahu for an official meeting in which they will discuss statements made by the rabbi in the past, particularly regarding his Halachic rulings prohibiting Jews from renting or selling property in Tzfas to non-Jews, citing Arabs in particular.

The rav was investigated in the past regarding those very same statements, but he was not charged with any crime.

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, MK Aliza Lavie and MK Eitan Cabel have come out publically in opposition to the rabbi’s candidacy due to his hawkish right-wing hashkafa and statements prohibiting sale or renting of propriety to Arabs.

It is significant to point out that remarks attributed to the attorney general were made privately, Israel Radio reports. The attorney general adds that after he meets with the rabbi he will announce his official opinion on the matter of his candidacy.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)