MK Cassif Demands Criminal Probe into Rabbi's Incitement Against Arab Party Collaborators
Translated & summarized from Arab48 by baba
Member of Knesset Ofer Cassif has requested a criminal investigation into Rabbi Gdeleahou Axelrod for issuing a religious ruling that Cassif claims incites violence against politicians cooperating with Arab parties. Cassif sent a letter to Attorney General Amit Isman, warning that the ruling, which references the "law of rodef," constitutes incitement to murder and terrorism with racist motives. He stressed the danger given Axelrod's prominent religious position and the sensitive political period following elections, arguing the threats endanger the democratic process.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- MK Ofer Cassif demanded a criminal probe into Rabbi Gdeleahou Axelrod for inciting violence against politicians.
- Cassif cited a religious ruling that allegedly targets leaders collaborating with Arab parties in the Knesset.
- The ruling references the "law of rodef," which Cassif stated is grounds for incitement to murder.
- Cassif warned Attorney General Amit Isman of the ruling's racist motives and danger to the democratic process.
- The rabbi previously headed the Haifa Rabbinical Court and serves the Chabad community there.
Member of Knesset Ofer Cassif, representing the Joint List, has called for a criminal investigation into Rabbi Gdeleahou Axelrod, the former rabbi of the Haifa Rabbinical Court. Cassif's demand stems from a religious ruling issued by Axelrod that allegedly incites violence against leaders of parties collaborating with Arab blocs in the Knesset. Cassif argues that the ruling constitutes incitement to violence and murder based on racist motives.
In a letter to Israeli Attorney General Amit Isman, Cassif warned of the ruling's danger, particularly amid the political maneuvering to form a new government following recent elections. He noted that Axelrod currently serves as the rabbi for the Chabad community in Haifa and previously headed the city's Rabbinical Court.
Cassif stated that classifying an individual as subject to the "law of "rodef" (a ruling permitting the shedding of a person's blood), or even alluding to it, has been recognized in judicial precedent as grounds for incitement to violence and murder, and even for committing acts of terrorism. He further asserted that the justification for the ruling, which is political cooperation with representatives of Arab citizens in the Knesset, establishes a clear racist motive for incitement, highlighting its inherent danger.
Emphasizing the severity of the situation due to Axelrod's religious standing, Cassif pointed out that his status as a known and recognized religious figure who previously held an official position in the state's religious establishment necessitates urgent legal action. He cautioned that such a ruling, issued during a sensitive post-election transition period, requires law enforcement to act against anyone threatening, inciting, or permitting the shedding of blood of elected officials for exercising their mandate.
Cassif concluded that these threats target elected officials not personally, but for their political decisions, thereby endangering the democratic process itself.