Chabad Rabbinical Court Condemns Politician's Inclusion on Otzma Yehudit List

The Chabad Rabbinical Court in Israel has issued a strong statement against the inclusion of Yossi Goldberg in the Otzma Yehudit party's Knesset list, asserting the move was made without their consent and contradicts the Chabad Hasidic movement's principles regarding political identification.

The court's ruling came weeks after Otzma Yehudit chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir announced that Goldberg, a Chabad community activist, would be placed in the ninth position on the party's list for the upcoming elections. The rabbis clarified that while Goldberg is a Chabad follower, his political affiliation does not represent the movement.

In their published letter, the court stated, "We clarify that the inclusion of a Chabad Hasid on the 'Otzma Yehudit' list for the Knesset was not done with our knowledge and is contrary to the way of Chabad Hasidism on these matters." They further elaborated that any personal disclaimer from Goldberg stating he does not act in the name of Chabad is insufficient, as his presence on a political list inherently links the movement to the party, causing "desecration of Chabad's name and deception and fraud of the public."

The court emphasized that their position is not against participation in elections but against Chabad's identification with a specific political party. "We declare again that Chabad Hasidism does not identify with any political movement and disavows any party support, without detracting from the responsibility and obligation to vote. The Rebbe's way, which guided the activity of Chabad Hasidism, is to spread Judaism and Hasidism to all parts of the people out of love and unity of Israel."

Ben-Gvir had initially presented Goldberg, a 39-year-old father of four and co-founder of the "Givat Liubavitch" community in Kfar Chabad, as a representative for the Haredi public within Otzma Yehudit, aiming to attract voters from that sector. Ben-Gvir praised Goldberg as a "dynamic man of action, with a big heart, who knows the Haredi public and its needs well," adding that he is confident Goldberg will be a "loyal and strong representative for the Haredi public in the next Knesset."