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 in a speech, focused on Ben-Gvir's recent visit to the Temple Mount and Lior's alleged involvement in political pressure for a union between Ben-Gvir's Otzma Yehudit party and Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionism party.

Rabbi Yosef questioned Ben-Gvir's authority to ascend the Temple Mount, stating that those who do will be punished, possibly with severe suffering. He also dismissed Rabbi Lior's standing, asserting that Lior's books do not compare to those of "great rabbis" and questioning his influence, particularly asking, "What rabbi does he have in Hebron?"

The remarks come amid reports of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's efforts to pressure Ben-Gvir into merging with Smotrich. Netanyahu's associates reportedly approached Rabbi Lior, who stated he would not intervene in political matters and trusted Ben-Gvir. A merger between Ben-Gvir and Smotrich would benefit Shas by consolidating its voter base and hindering Otzma Yehudit's growth at Shas's expense.

In response to Rabbi Yosef's comments, the organization "Torat Ha'aretz HaTova" issued a letter expressing dismay over the criticism directed at Rabbi Lior, particularly before the High Holidays. The letter defended Rabbi Lior's stature as a Torah scholar.

Separately, the "Change Bloc" parties are reportedly courting Avigdor Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu party for surplus election agreements. Gadi Eisenkot and Naftali Bennett have approached Lieberman, urging him to sign an agreement with them. This move is seen as a strategy to avoid being targeted by Netanyahu's campaign if they are forced to sign with Yair Golan's Democrats instead.