The Ometz organization has filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking to have Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger removed from his post as a dayan and chief justice on the Supreme Rabbinical Court.

In his response to the petition, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz stated that he feels Rav Metzger should step down from his post, reminding the court that only the judicial committee which appoints judges may compel him to step down. Mazuz stated that since this is the case, it is inappropriate to intervene.

The case refers to a 2004 investigation against Rav Metzger after he and his family were guests at a Yerushalayim hotel without paying for the services received. The investigation was eventually closed after the state declared there was insufficient evidence to move ahead with an indictment. Mazuz at the time however did publicly call upon Rav Metzger to draw the proper conclusions from the investigation and voluntarily step down from his post.

This year again calls to oust the rabbi were unsuccessful, and the appointments committee meeting in February did not do so, explaining once again they lacked sufficient evidence to prompt such an act.

In his response to the Supreme Court, the attorney general explained that the chief justice of the Supreme Rabbinical Court must be held to a higher standard and therefore, Rav Metzger should step down, removing himself from the judicial body.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)