Rabbi Eli Sadan Denounces 'Violent' Political Tactics Against Candidates
Translated & summarized from Srugim by baba
Rabbi Eli Sadan has strongly condemned the political tactics used against candidates from the "Am Israel" party, citing allegations of private investigators, defacement of synagogues, and harm to children. He stated that while political disagreement is legitimate, the methods employed have crossed ethical lines. Rabbi Sadan emphasized his protest is against the campaign's nature, not a political endorsement. The claims about investigators and harm to children remain unverified.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Eli Sadan protested alleged "violent and illegitimate" election tactics against "Am Israel" party candidates.
- Allegations include private investigators, defaced synagogues, and harm to candidates' children.
- Sadan stated that such methods cross ethical lines and violate the commandment to love one's neighbor.
- He clarified his protest is against the campaign's nature, not a political endorsement.
- The claims about investigators and harm to children were not independently verified.
Rabbi Eli Sadan, founder and head of the Bnei David institutions in Eli, issued an unusual statement Thursday criticizing the nature of the political campaign against candidates from the "Am Israel" party. Rabbi Sadan specifically addressed allegations of private investigators being sent to the home of candidate Ofer Winter, the posting of signs against candidates in synagogues, and harm to their children.
"I want to express a sharp protest regarding the style of the struggle," Rabbi Sadan stated. "Elections do not grant any permission, not for lies, not for slander, and certainly not for the loss of the very dear and important commandment, 'Love your neighbor as yourself, as yourself."
He detailed the alleged actions that prompted his protest, saying, "When I hear that private investigators are being sent to Ofer Winter's home to plant recording devices there, when I hear that signs with defamatory words are placed in the candidates' synagogues, when I hear that they do not refrain from harming the candidates' children, I understand that all lines have been crossed. Therefore, I feel a moral obligation to express my position."
Rabbi Sadan clarified that his statement was not an endorsement of the party or a call to vote for it, but a protest against the methods used against them. "It is legitimate to disagree with their political path, I am not saying who I vote for, but it is not legitimate to conduct a violent and illegitimate election struggle, and against this I feel a sharp protest is necessary," he said.
Rabbi Sadan also spoke personally about Ofer Winter, whom he has known for many years, describing him as "a man of truth, upright, clean-handed, who always in his way said what he thought." He added that Winter's rise to the rank of major general in the army was due to his unique abilities, even for those who disagreed with him.
The rabbi stressed the importance of separating legitimate political debate from personal attacks on candidates and their families. The article notes that Rabbi Sadan did not identify who was behind the alleged actions, and the claims regarding private investigators and harm to children were not independently verified.
