Judicial Complaints Commissioner Partially Upholds Complaint Against Chief Rabbi David Yosef

The Commissioner for Public Complaints Against Judges, retired Judge Asher Grunis, ruled on Thursday that a complaint against Chief Rabbi David Yosef was partially justified. The complaint concerned Yosef's remarks about Supreme Court justices regarding their handling of Sabbath-related hearings. Grunis determined that these comments, which included phrases such as "those insolent judges," "trampling the holy Torah," and "the Supreme Court is the enemy of Judaism," exceeded acceptable criticism and were inconsistent with the expected official discourse of a judicial officeholder. The Commissioner noted that the issue of Sabbath hearings does not fall within the core responsibilities of the Chief Rabbi, so Yosef's statements are not protected by the special immunities granted to his position. Grunis emphasized that such language could harm public trust in the judicial system.

Conversely, the Commissioner rejected a separate complaint against Yosef concerning his statements about the Supreme Court ruling that required the Chief Rabbinate to allow women to take rabbinical exams. Grunis ruled that this matter falls within the Chief Rabbi's core duties and authority, and therefore no intervention was warranted. No sanctions were imposed on Rabbi David Yosef following the decision.