Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef Slams Ben-Gvir, Rabbi Lior Over Temple Mount Visit and Political Maneuvering

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, the spiritual leader of the Shas party and former Sephardic Chief Rabbi, launched a sharp verbal attack on National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Rabbi Dov Lior, a close associate of Ben-Gvir. The criticism, delivered during a speech, focused on Ben-Gvir's recent visit to the Temple Mount and his perceived disregard for senior rabbinical authorities.

"What are you going up to the Temple Mount for? What is the power of your rabbi?" Rabbi Yosef questioned, warning that those who ascend the Temple Mount face divine punishment. He further disparaged Rabbi Lior, stating, "What rabbi does he have in Hebron? I know his books, he doesn't reach the ankles of all the great ones, with all due respect." Rabbi Yosef urged Ben-Gvir to "get used to listening to the elders of the generation, who are you?"

The strong remarks come amid reported efforts by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to pressure Ben-Gvir into uniting with Bezalel Smotrich's party. Netanyahu's associates reportedly approached Rabbi Lior, who stated he would not interfere in political matters and trusted Ben-Gvir.

A union between Ben-Gvir and Smotrich would benefit the Shas party, led by Aryeh Deri, by consolidating its voter base and hindering the growth of Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party at Shas's expense.

In response to Rabbi Yosef's comments, the rabbinical organization "Torat Ha'aretz Ha'tova" issued a letter expressing dismay, defending Rabbi Lior's stature and lamenting the timing of the criticism before the High Holidays.

The article also briefly mentions ongoing political maneuvering within the "Change Bloc" parties, which are reportedly courting Avigdor Lieberman for surplus election agreements ahead of the deadline. Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett have approached Lieberman, seeking an alliance that would prevent them from having to align with Yair Golan, potentially making them targets of Netanyahu's campaign.