Complaint Filed Against Rabbi Axelrod Over 'Pursuer's Law' Ruling for Politicians

The Center for Victims of Racism has filed a complaint with the police, the Attorney General, and the State Prosecutor's Office against Rabbi Gdalyah Axelrod, former head of the Haifa rabbinical court and rabbi of the Chabad community in the city. The complaint stems from a legal ruling published by Rabbi Axelrod, which stated that the "law of the pursuer" applies to party leaders who support or abstain from voting on the formation of a government that includes Arab parties. The complaint alleges that Axelrod's words raise suspicion of offenses including incitement to violence, solicitation to commit murder, and incitement to racism. It argues that applying the halachic term "law of the pursuer" to elected officials could be interpreted as permitting physical harm against them. The complainants emphasized that the ruling described party leaders potentially supporting the inclusion of Arab representatives in a government as endangering the people of Israel. They contend that the term "law of the pursuer" carries particular weight in Israeli public discourse, especially given the country's history and fears of religious justifications for violence. The complaint further asserts that portraying the participation of Arab elected officials in a government as a danger to Israel constitutes incitement to racism against the Arab public. The Center for Victims of Racism noted that Arab parties collectively hold 19 Knesset seats and stated that denying legitimacy to their participation in government based on their national identity is an expression of animosity and contempt towards the public they represent. The complainants also pointed out that the publication received thousands of reactions and shares, including supportive ones, increasing concerns that it could encourage acts of violence. Consequently, the Center demanded an immediate criminal investigation into Rabbi Axelrod and the removal of the ruling and accompanying comments deemed to contain incitement from digital platforms. The issue began earlier this week when Rabbi Axelrod published his sharp ruling amidst political negotiations for a new government and the possibility of cooperation with Arab parties. In his ruling, the Rabbi stated that according to Torah law, party leaders supporting a government with Arab representatives, even through abstention, bear responsibility for severe risks to the people of Israel, using the term "law of the pursuer" to describe the political move as endangering the Jewish people in Israel and abroad.