Israel's Chief Rabbi Criticized for Insulting Supreme Court Judges, Ethics Commissioner Rules

Israel's Public Complaints Commissioner for Judges, retired Judge Asher Coile, ruled that statements made by Chief Rabbi of Israel and President of the Rabbinical High Court, Rabbi David Yosef, against Supreme Court judges exceeded legitimate criticism. Rabbi Yosef had referred to the Supreme Court as an "enemy of Judaism" and described its judges as "impudent," remarks deemed inappropriate for someone holding a senior judicial position. However, the Commissioner dismissed complaints related to Rabbi Yosef's criticism of a Supreme Court ruling that required the Rabbinical Court to allow women to take rabbinical certification exams. These comments were considered part of his core duties as Chief Rabbi and thus protected under ethical guidelines. The ruling distinguishes between unacceptable personal insults toward judges and permissible professional critique related to religious judicial responsibilities.