Police Await Prosecutor's Decision on Investigating Rabbi Lior for Incitement

Police have collected materials and are awaiting a decision from the State Prosecutor's Office on whether to investigate Rabbi Dov Lior, who is identified with the Otzma Yehudit party, on suspicion of incitement. The controversy stems from a religious ruling issued by Rabbi Lior that effectively permits Jews to harvest olives from Palestinian orchards. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expressed strong reservations about the ruling, stating in a statement that it "encourages acts of violence, theft, incitement, and friction that further inflame the situation." The organization 'Kol Ranani for Human Rights,' representing 170 rabbis, filed a complaint against Rabbi Lior with the police. The organization's acting CEO, Anton Goodman, stated that the complaint was filed due to incitement to racism, violence, and incitement to property theft, adding, "It is a pity that I have to file a complaint with the police against a rabbi in Israel, but reality requires us to stand by the Torah." He further commented, "Entering the lands of others and taking their harvest against the law is not what God wants from us in this land."

Rabbi Lior's ruling, which has caused a significant stir, was issued amidst ongoing clashes during the sensitive olive harvest season. This period has seen attacks on a "Washington Post" photographer and a delegation of European diplomats, drawing sharp international criticism and condemnation of Israel. The ruling contradicts an opinion from rabbis of the Gush Etzion Religious Council, which determined that it is absolutely forbidden for Jews to pick olives from Arab orchards near settlements, as the owners have not "despaired" of their property, making the taking of fruit a severe prohibition of theft. Rabbi Lior, however, argued that harvesting olives from Palestinian groves is permissible and even meritorious, as the land remains the property of the people of Israel. He contended that Arab owners have effectively despaired of the fruit if they cannot harvest due to security reasons, and have already received sufficient compensation over the years. Therefore, he asserted, Jews are permitted to harvest these olives, even in distant areas, to assert ownership of the land and fulfill the commandment of conquering the land.