Rabbinate CEO Yehuda Cohen to Leave Post Early

Yehuda Cohen, director general of Israel's Chief Rabbinate, has signed an early retirement agreement with the Civil Service Commission and will step down in about a month, instead of in January 2027. The deal ends weeks of negotiations over his future in the role.

According to a statement on Cohen's behalf, he thanked the civil service commissioner for agreeing to the departure terms and praised the chief rabbis for conducting themselves “professionally and responsibly” throughout the period. The statement said Cohen will continue contributing his time and energy to public service.

An investigation into Cohen was opened by the commission, and for a long period a hearing could not take place because of medical circumstances. Only recently did talks between the commission and Cohen resume over whether he would remain as Rabbinate CEO, and those discussions have now concluded with his early exit.