Top Israelis Demand Investigation into Rabbi Axelrod's Incitement Claims
Translated & summarized from N12 by baba
Twenty former Israeli security, legal, and academic leaders have asked the police to investigate Rabbi Gdalyahu Axelrod for incitement to murder. The rabbi's letter invoked "rodef" law against politicians supporting a government with Arab parties, which signatories fear could lead to violence. MK Michal Rozin and Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav also called for an investigation, referencing the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin as a past consequence of such rhetoric.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- 20 former Israeli security, legal, and academic figures demand investigation into Rabbi Axelrod for incitement.
- Rabbi Axelrod invoked "rodef" law against politicians supporting a government with Arab parties.
- Signatories fear Rabbi Axelrod's words could incite violence and political assassination.
- MK Michal Rozin and Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav also called for a criminal investigation.
- The petition references Yigal Amir's use of "rodef" law to justify Yitzhak Rabin's assassination.
Twenty prominent former Israeli security, legal, and academic figures have petitioned the police to investigate Rabbi Gdalyahu Axelrod for incitement to murder. The petition, submitted to Commander Boaz Balt of the Israel Police's Investigations and Intelligence Division, follows a letter published by Rabbi Axelrod, a significant figure in the Chabad movement. In his letter, Axelrod declared that any party leader supporting a government that includes Arab parties faces "rodef" law, a halachic concept that permits lethal force against an aggressor. He argued that such support endangers the Jewish people in Israel and worldwide.
The signatories, including former heads of the Shin Bet (Carmi Gillon, Ami Ayalon) and Mossad (Dani Yatom, Tamir Pardo), former IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon, and former Central Command chief Gadi Shamni, warned of a tangible danger of violence, including political assassination, due to Axelrod's public standing and specific targeting of individuals. They cited Yigal Amir's use of the "rodef" law to justify the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
The "Tag Meir" forum, an organization combating hate crimes, also appealed to the police commissioner for a criminal investigation into the rabbi, citing the potential for further political assassinations. The signatories urged immediate action to summon Rabbi Axelrod for questioning and to expedite conclusions before such a tragedy occurs. Copies of the petition were sent to the Police Commissioner, the Attorney General, and the State Attorney.
Member of Knesset Michal Rozin also wrote to State Attorney Amit Issar, demanding a criminal investigation. She argued that Axelrod's remarks, which she deemed a deliberate statement from a senior rabbinic figure rather than a spontaneous utterance, fall outside free speech protections and raise suspicions of serious criminal offenses. Rozin echoed the signatories' concerns, referencing the assassination of Rabin and warning that ignoring such incitement could lead to further political violence.
Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav also condemned the use of "rodef" law against elected officials as a dangerous act crossing a red line. He called on Chabad leadership to unequivocally denounce the rabbi's words and any incitement to violence, while urging law enforcement authorities to act decisively. The petition also included former legal advisor to Shin Bet Eli Bachar, advocate Talia Sasson, and Professor David Harel.