Senior Rabbis Launch Fierce Attack on Attorney General Over Election Concerns

Prominent rabbis affiliated with the Shas party have escalated their sharp criticism of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, particularly after she requested the postponement of state memorial events for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. The rabbis cited concerns that the events could be exploited for election propaganda, especially since Shas has been using Rabbi Yosef's image in its campaign. Rabbi Tzemach Mazuz, head of the "Kiseh Rachamim" yeshiva, compared the Attorney General to the wicked Queen Jezebel from the Bible, stating, "This wicked Jezebel thinks every day, 'What can I do to harm Torah scholars?'" He further characterized her actions as a constant effort to inflict harm.

Last week, Shas leader Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef also launched a scathing attack, calling Baharav-Miara "crazy" and invoking divine retribution. He questioned her authority, stating, "Who is she? God will destroy her, give her her punishment." He argued that while a memorial for former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, a political figure, was not prohibited near elections, a memorial for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, described as a Torah scholar and not a politician, should not be restricted. He urged the public to disregard her opinion, emphasizing the importance of honoring Rabbi Ovadia.

The Attorney General's office requested the postponement of the official memorial events, scheduled for October 14, close to the election date, due to concerns about the misuse of state resources for political campaigning. A law passed last year mandates state institutions to hold a memorial day for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. Discussions between the parties have not yet yielded an agreement, and the dispute is expected to escalate to legal proceedings.

Shas Chairman Aryeh Deri framed the conflict as a battle between the "rule of the Attorney General, who tries to erase every spark of Torah and Judaism," and the "heritage of Maran [Rabbi Ovadia Yosef] and Jewish tradition," asserting there is no middle ground.