The evidence pointing to possible law-breaking and corruption gathered by Jerusalem Chief Rabbi Aryeh Stern Shlita has compelled police to launch an investigation into the capital’s religious council. Yehoshua Yishai, who heads the religious council denies any wrongdoing, insisting allegations him and others are baseless.

The allegations against Yishai and others include widespread nepotism, padding time cards, not providing kashrus supervision while charging for it, threats to dismiss employees, submitting fraudulent official documents and more. Following a session of the Knesset Interior Committee on Wednesday morning 13 Menachem Av an Israel Police official has announced the department is launching an investigation into the allegations.

MKs Aliza Lavie (Yesh Atid) and Rachel Azaria (Kulanu) are leading the effort calling for a thorough police investigation, demanding authorities take the necessary step in light of the findings and earlier information contained in a State Comptroller’s Office report, all warranting police involvement.

The city was without chief rabbis for over a decade, during which many feel the city’s religious services deteriorated to an unprecedented level. After Rabbi Stern and Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar Shlita took office a few months ago, Rabbi Stern began quietly probing the activities of the city’s religious council and he remains committed to restoring kashrus and other religious services to their pervious glory, as they were during the tenure of the previous Chief Rabbis of Yerushalayim ZT”L.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)