Rabbi Rules Jewish Law Permits Voting for Non-Jewish Candidate

Rabbi Elyakim Levanon, a prominent figure in religious Zionism and rabbi for the Samaria Regional Council, stated Thursday that Jewish law permits voting for a list that includes Yoseph Haddad, a non-Jewish candidate running with the "Amkha Israel" party led by Ofer Winter. Levanon's declaration directly contradicts Rabbi Shlomo Aviner, who had previously called for boycotting the party specifically because Haddad was on its slate.

"I am not in favor of voting for small parties, but halakhically, it is permitted and one can vote for Yoseph Haddad," Levanon said in an interview with public radio station Kan Reshet Bet. He challenged Aviner's position, which was based on Maimonides and argued that a non-Jew cannot hold a leadership position within the Jewish people.

Levanon further countered Aviner's halakhic argument by pointing to the appointment of women to public office, suggesting that non-Jews who support Israel's positions could also receive voter support. Earlier in the week, Aviner had ignited controversy by asserting that a non-Jew, even one considered a "Righteous Among the Nations," could not be entrusted with "leadership functions over the nation."

Ofer Winter, the party leader, defended Haddad, a candidate for the "Amkha Israel" party, by highlighting his military service and combat injury. "He who is worthy of fighting and being wounded is also worthy of leading," Winter stated, referencing Haddad's service in the Golani Brigade.