Israeli Supreme Court Upholds Election of Chief Rabbi of Harish, Rejects Petition

The Israeli Supreme Court rejected a petition challenging the election process of the first chief rabbi of Harish, Rabbi Asher Zigdon, thereby confirming his appointment. The petition was filed by city council member Shani Greenberg and others who sought to annul the election, claiming procedural irregularities including the acting mayor's authority to promote the rabbi's selection. However, the court ruled the petition was submitted significantly late, noting the petitioners were aware of the issues well before the election but delayed legal action until just a week prior to the vote.

Beyond the timing issue, the court found no grounds to intervene in the election process itself. The petitioners were ordered to pay legal costs totaling 3,000 shekels to the respondents. A source from the Ministry of Religious Services told "Kikar HaShabbat" that the ministry closely oversees rabbinical elections with legal guidance, ensuring no procedural failures.

The historic election took place on May 20, with Rabbi Asher Zigdon winning 20 votes, compared to five and two votes for his competitors Rabbi Yanai and Rabbi Shechter, respectively. Rabbi Zigdon, 54, a resident of Harish and graduate of the "Or HaChaim" yeshiva in Jerusalem, is a disciple of Rabbi Reuven Elbaz and was ordained by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. His appointment marks the first time Harish has had an official city rabbi since its founding.

This ruling follows a similar Supreme Court decision rejecting a petition against the election of the chief rabbi of Holon, where Justice Khaled Kabub emphasized the importance of holding elections on schedule and dismissed the petition due to weak chances of success.