Chacham Rav Ovadia Yosef Shlita lashed out at the nation’s judicial system in his remarks in support of former Shas minister R’ Shlomo Benizri, who is about to begin a jail term on fraud, bribery and breach of trust conviction.
Calling them “infidels”, the Rav rejected the court’s verdict sentencing Benizri to prison, highlighting his actions on behalf of the Klal and torah Jewry. “They believe in nothing” the Rav exclaimed in reference to the justices, adding the courts “are blind” and have “no law”.
(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)
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6 Responses
Is there a “hiddush” here?
Now, if R. Yosef praised the Israeli legal system for its fairness and sense of justice, that would be news (okay, it would probably be Purim, and presumably it would established that he couldn’t tell the difference between Haman and Mordechai, not to mention Aharon Barak and Aryeh Deri).
#2 – Like any country in which the courts are one faction’s instrument for keeping political control, rather than an independent and neutral judiciary, it’s a problem. In all fairness, countries with an independent, non-political judiciary are very rare outside of Western Europe and North America. We in the United States are lucky to live in a country with a well established tradition of an independent judiciary, rule of law, due process, etc. And in all fairness, Israel has one of the best Afro-Asian legal systems (compared to places like North Korea, Iran, Egypt, etc.).
If a frum person is acting improperly, it is for the gedolim (and the non-government Beitei-Din) to resolve the matter.
If a frum person is acting improperly, it is for the gedolim (and the non-government Beitei-Din) to resolve the matter.
THIS IS A CHIDUSH, and we have seen the lack of power of the Batei Din and Gedolim to uphold justice. Any other suggestions????
#5 – the rule of the game is that if they don’t like you, they throw in jail — what you do, or do not do, is irrelevant – it is “justice” based on who you are.
Whether we should participate in the zionist’s system is a separate issue. Shas feels they can improve things from within. Neturei Karta feels the system is so hopelessly corrupt and rigged against that working with it is a waste of time. History will decide who is right.
In Israel, it is a well-established fact that the prosecutors and the courts are an extension of the political battlefield.
That’s true of the U.S., too, although to alesser extent.
If you get into politics, and you are effective, you can expect to be subjected to harrassment for every petty thing they can find.
Remember all the investigations of vague “ethics” charges against Sarah Palin when she became a vice-presidential candidate.
In Israel, especially is you are a right-wing politician, you are fair game to the leftist legal establishment. Benizri was a very special target, because of his seniority within the Shas Party, and especially because of his outspoken views against the Toeva parades and laws.
#6 I suppose it is better to ignore a comment then to find an appropriate solution for it.
“If a frum person is acting improperly, it is for the gedolim (and the non-government Beitei-Din**) to resolve the matter”. **what about the government Batei Din that Rav Elyashuv shlita presided on as a dayan?
THIS IS A CHIDUSH, and we have seen the lack of power of the Batei Din and Gedolim to uphold justice. Any other suggestions????