Netanyahu Secures Right-Wing Votes by Removing Rabbi Accused of Sex Crimes from Election
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
The AHI party, led by Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Abargil, withdrew from the Israeli Knesset elections after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials pressured him. The deal, which includes a pledge to support legislation for a deputy minister role and a revised army conscription plan, aims to consolidate right-wing votes. Rabbi Abargil faces serious allegations of sexual offenses, including assaults on women and minors, which are currently under police investigation.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- AHI party leader Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Abargil withdrew from elections amid sexual offense allegations.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led efforts to convince Abargil to exit the race.
- The deal includes a pledge to support legislation for a non-Knesset deputy minister role.
- A new army conscription scheme exempting yeshiva students was also agreed upon.
- Abargil is under police investigation for multiple serious sexual offenses.
- The withdrawal is expected to prevent the loss of right-wing votes.
The AHI party, led by Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Abargil, who faces allegations of sexual offenses, has withdrawn from the upcoming Knesset elections just four days before they are scheduled. The decision followed intense pressure, including a meeting between Abargil, former Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar, local officials, and a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The primary goal of these negotiations was to prevent the loss of right-wing votes by convincing Abargil to abandon his candidacy.
Netanyahu dispatched lawyer Lior Katzav, brother of former President Moshe Katsav who was convicted of rape, and former Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar to Netivot, Abargil's main base of influence. Deputy Minister Almog Cohen and Education Minister Yoav Kish also joined the efforts to persuade Abargil.
Following these negotiations, an agreement was reached. As part of the deal, Netanyahu pledged to support legislation allowing a non-Knesset member to be appointed as a deputy minister, potentially offering Abargil's representative a government position. Additionally, the parties agreed to advance a new army conscription scheme that would exempt yeshiva students from military service while requiring others to serve, a move expected to provoke backlash from traditional ultra-Orthodox parties.
In a joint statement, Rabbi Abargil declared that AHI's goals were met and the movement would not participate in the elections, citing the "exceptional importance of the current moment" and "sincere concern for the fate and existence of the State of Israel." Education Minister Yoav Kish confirmed his involvement in the talks, stating that the Likud party would advance the issues raised by AHI. He emphasized that this move prevented the loss of "tens of thousands of right-wing bloc votes" that could have led to a left-wing government.
Rabbi Abargil himself is under investigation for serious sexual offenses. Ynet published testimonies in June 2025 detailing accusations of sexual assault against women and minors. Police suspect him of indecent acts, obstruction of justice, extortion, and sexual harassment. At the time, police described Abargil as a highly respected figure in Netivot, suspected of committing severe sexual crimes against multiple victims in recent years.
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