Oversight Chief Rejects Complaint Against Rabbi Abraham Zarbib

Israel’s Commissioner for Complaints Against Judges and Religious Judges, retired Justice Asher Kula, dismissed a complaint filed by the left-wing group Kerem Navot against Rabbi Abraham Zarbib, who serves on the rabbinical court in Ariel. The group alleged that Zarbib’s home in Beit El was built illegally on private Palestinian land from the nearby village of Dura al-Qara, and that living there violated ethical rules.

In a formal ruling, Kula rejected the request to disqualify Zarbib. He wrote that after reviewing the complaint and its attachments, there was no basis to examine the matter through the complaints commission. He said the commission is not the proper forum for claims of this kind, which should be handled by the relevant judicial or regulatory authorities.

Kula added that his office deals with complaints about judges’ and rabbis’ conduct only when they relate to integrity or ethics and are based on proven facts, not on allegations that require broad factual and legal investigation beyond the commission’s authority. He also said it was strange that the complainant waited until now, even though the alleged matter, according to the complaint, had occurred years ago.

Kerem Navot reacted angrily and refused to accept the decision. It said it had submitted aerial photos of the house, with a demolition order supposedly pending for 26 years, as well as images it says show the structure lies outside the settlement’s jurisdiction and contrary to its zoning plan. In its original filing, the organization accused Zarbib of unlawful construction and of escalating land seizure, saying such conduct is not consistent with the law or with the conduct expected of a judge. Separately, the Reform Center for Religion and State also filed its own complaint, alleging that Zarbib publicly expressed joy over disputed issues and spread claims, and even falsely accused himself of war crimes he supposedly committed and documented during military service in Gaza.