MK (Likud) Yehuda Glick, a known Har Habayis activist, filed a complaint with the Knesset Ethics Committee against MKs Yisrael Eichler and Yitzchak Cohen of Yahadut Hatorah and Shas respectively.

While Glick is relatively new to Knesset, he has already filed a complaint with the Ethics committee against Eichler, a veteran MK and Cohen, the Deputy Finance Minister, for attacking him for speaking out in favor of visiting Har Habayis, which they strongly oppose. Glick told the Ethics Committee in his complaint that Eichler spoke ill of him during a session of the Knesset Interior Committee, using terms “murderer” and “blood spiller” as a result of his Har Habayis activism.

Responding to the committee, Eichler explained that Glick is indeed responsible for ‘blood-spilling’ throughout Israel with his Har Habayis activities, as his actions could be easily avoided and this would calm the situation nationwide. Eichler added regarding the discussion in the Interior Committee, that addressed mikvaos for Reform Jews and he blasted Glick for his open support of Reform Jewry against chareidim.

Regarding Deputy Minister Cohen, Glick referred to an interview the deputy minister gave to Galei Tzahal (Army Radio) addressing the ‘current intifada’ which he blamed on Yehuda Glick and his Har Habayis activism. He labeled Glick “hallucinatory”.

Cohen denied the statements attributed to him by Glick in the complaint. He added he is however permitted to speak freely against Glick as he too is entitled to freedom of speech. Cohen reminded the committee halacha prohibits visiting Har Habayis.

The Ethics Committee, which is chaired by MK (Shas) Yitzchak Vaknin, decided not to take actions against either MK. However, the committee did state their comments were not legitimate and their statements go beyond freedom of speech and expression. Vaknin concluded “wise men be careful with your words”.

Gedolei Yisrael over the generations and the Chief Rabbinate of Israel prohibit visiting Har Habayis

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)