Rabbi Eli Sadan Denounces Campaign Tactics Against Ofer Winter
Translated & summarized from Behadrei Haredim by baba
Rabbi Eli Sadan has sharply criticized the campaign tactics used against election candidate Ofer Winter, calling them a violation of ethical boundaries. The campaign, reportedly involving Prime Minister Netanyahu and Finance Minister Smotrich, aims to force Winter out of the race using methods Sadan described as lies, slander, and incitement. Sadan stated that while political disagreement is acceptable, the current methods, including alleged harassment of Winter's family and the targeting of candidates' children, have crossed all lines. He defended Winter as a man of integrity and capability.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Rabbi Eli Sadan condemned the campaign against Ofer Winter as crossing all ethical lines.
- The campaign reportedly involves Prime Minister Netanyahu and Finance Minister Smotrich.
- Tactics include alleged harassment of Winter's family and targeting candidates' children.
- Sadan stated that elections do not permit lies, slander, or violating the commandment to love one's neighbor.
- Dovidian Ben Zion withdrew from the list last week amid the pressure.
- Sadan described Winter as a man of truth, upright, and clean-handed.
Rabbi Eli Sadan, founder and head of the Bnei David institutions in Eli, issued a rare statement Thursday condemning the methods used in the campaign against Ofer Winter, a candidate in the upcoming elections.
The campaign, reportedly involving Prime Minister Netanyahu, Finance Minister Smotrich, and other right-wing figures, aims to pressure Winter into withdrawing from the race. Sadan's statement comes amid reports of tactics such as placing signs outside candidates' homes and pressuring their relatives, although the source of these signs remains unclear. Last week, Dovidian Ben Zion, who was eighth on the list, withdrew.
"I want to express sharp protest regarding the style of the struggle. Elections do not give any permission, not for lies, not for slander, and certainly not for the loss of the very dear and important commandment to love your neighbor as yourself, truly as yourself," Sadan stated. He detailed disturbing reports, including private investigators allegedly planting recording devices at Winter's home, signs inciting against candidates placed in synagogues, and even targeting candidates' children.
"When I hear that private investigators are sent to Ofer Winter's home to plant recording devices there, when I hear that infiltrators place signs in the candidates' synagogues with words of incitement against them, 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," he added.
Rabbi Sadan emphasized that while political disagreements with Winter are legitimate, they do not justify a violent and illegitimate struggle. He shared his long-standing acquaintance with Winter, describing him as "a man of truth, upright, clean-handed, who always, in all his ways, said what he thought." Sadan noted that Winter's advancement to the rank of Brigadier General in the army was due to his recognized capabilities, even by those who disagreed with him.
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