Israel's Religious Services Ministry Accused of Election Propaganda

The Director-General of the Ministry of Religious Services, Yehuda Avidan, has accused the Attorney General of "trampling the law" by intervening in a planned event to commemorate Rabbi Ovadia Yosef. The event, scheduled around the anniversary of the late spiritual leader of the Shas party's death, is part of a law passed in the Knesset to memorialize him. Avidan claims the Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, is attempting to obstruct these commemorations.

The controversy stems from the timing of the events. The law stipulates that activities should take place "near" Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's death date, the 3rd of Cheshvan. However, the Ministry of Religious Services, under the influence of Shas, organized a series of events, including a digital campaign, a special Knesset session, and an exhibition, and even established a dedicated "Heritage Department for Maran" within the ministry. The Attorney General's office requested that these events be postponed until after the upcoming elections, citing the "Prohibition of Election Propaganda Law" which forbids government bodies from using public resources for election campaigns.

Avidan, who has political ties to Shas and a past conviction for breach of trust, has publicly criticized the Attorney General's directive. He has reportedly contacted political journalists to attack the Attorney General, a tactic described as characteristic of the Shas party. The article argues that such actions constitute using public funds for electioneering, regardless of the revered status of the figure being commemorated.

The author suggests that using public resources for events tied to religious figures, especially those closely associated with a specific political party like Rabbi Ovadia Yosef with Shas, risks tarnishing their legacy by associating it with partisan politics. This incident is presented as one of many instances where public resources are allegedly used for election propaganda at taxpayer expense.