Chief Rabbi Slams Ben-Gvir Over Temple Mount Visit, Urges Voters to Withhold Support

The Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, has issued a strong condemnation of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, urging the public not to grant him power in elections. The criticism stems from Ben-Gvir's recent visit to the Temple Mount, which Rabbi Yosef stated was against the opinion of all major rabbinical authorities in Israel.

Rabbi Yosef emphasized the importance of the Shas party in preserving tradition within the country. He criticized individuals who use slogans to attract young people but fail to deliver tangible results, stating, "There are people who talk and pull the youth with all sorts of slogans, but in practice what do they do? Nothing. Just talk, talk, and the youth get excited."

Addressing his repeated warnings against ascending the Temple Mount and Ben-Gvir's response, Rabbi Yosef recounted, "I warned several times that one must not ascend the Temple Mount. I said it on Saturday night in a lesson in Bnei Brak, and the very next day, that Ben-Gvir ascended the Temple Mount, against the opinion of all the great rabbis of Israel from all factions."

The Chief Rabbi criticized the minister's actions, questioning how one could empower someone who openly and proudly defies and disrespects all major rabbinical leaders by ascending the Temple Mount. He implored, "Heaven forbid, do not give a hand to such a person."

Alongside his criticism, Rabbi Yosef highlighted Shas's role, asserting, "Only the Shas movement is the only movement that can preserve tradition here in the country. Our master would define Shas as the mezuzah of the country; there is a country, there is a mezuzah for the country."