Watchdog Group Demands Probe into Rabbi's Incitement Claims Against Top Prosecutor

The Movement for Quality of Government in Israel has called for a criminal investigation into Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, the Sephardic Chief Rabbi, following his recent remarks against Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. The watchdog group stated that law enforcement must examine whether the rabbi's words crossed the line into incitement to violence.

The demand stems from Yosef's weekly sermon where he harshly criticized Baharav-Miara for her decision to cancel a central memorial event for Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, a revered Sephardic authority. Yosef referred to the Attorney General as "this wicked woman" and stated, "May God destroy her, she will get her punishment."

In its complaint, the Movement for Quality of Government argued that Yosef's statements, given his significant public influence and the wide dissemination of his sermons, could constitute a violation of incitement laws. The group emphasized that while criticism of the Attorney General is permissible, it should not devolve into potentially violent rhetoric. They noted this is not the first time Rabbi Yosef has allegedly attacked the rule of law.

MK Michael Malchieli of the Shas party defended Rabbi Yosef, stating that his remarks represented his Torah-based opinion and that Shas would continue to grow despite opposition. He referred to the Attorney General with a derogatory term, accusing her of "unprecedented audacity."