The Ometz Organization has turned to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu in his capacity as the overseer of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel regarding recent travels abroad by Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger Shlita. The letter is based on an investigation, questioning if the rav traveled abroad using allotted vacation time or if he was paid ‘on the job’. The organization also wishes to know if there is any follow-up to the rav’s business trip and if there is any agency monitoring his accountability as a senior civil servant.

Ometz is calling for an accounting regarding salaries and expenses for personnel accompanying the rabbi abroad, wishing to learn if they were paid by taxpayers or private funders during a fundraising trip abroad.

Ometz requests formulating well-defined criteria to set guidelines for the chief rabbis pertaining to travel abroad, seeking to prevent using a government office for private benefit including fundraising missions.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)