Tzfas Chief Sephardi Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu on Monday morning 15 Menachem Av 5773 petitioned the High Court of Justice against Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein. Attorney Ephraim Dimri told the High Court that when Weinstein announced that Rabbi Eliyahu’s candidacy is unsuited and should be disqualified, he exceeded the scope of his authority. Dimri maintained that the attorney general was not expressing a legal opinion but merely his own, abusing the authority of his office.

Dimri explained to the court that the attorney general’s position works against Rav Eliyahu in his bid to become the next Rishon L’Tzion, and if Weinstein confers with members of the voting body which selects the chief rabbis, the damage is compounded.

Dimri pointed out that there is no criminal case against Rabbi Eliyahu and the attorney acted without authority and his position, announcing if Rabbi Eliyahu is elected and the results of the election challenged, he cannot defend him in such a High Court case.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)