Jerusalem – Despite written attempts to clarify a rather lengthy list of past racist comments, Safed Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu has been informed by Israeli Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein that his nomination for Sephardic Chief Rabbi is “unsuitable.”
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YNETnews.com (http://bit.ly/146eN0k) reports that Weinstein informed Eliyahu via letter on Monday that he has concluded that an Eliyahu appointment as chief rabbi would generate legal problems.
As promised, Weinstein waited to make his decision until Eliyahu was given the opportunity to explain himself at a hearing.
In a correspondence with Eliyahu last week, Weinstein asked that the rabbi provide written explanations for 13 past racist remarks attributed to him—among them; that all Arab students be removed from the Safed College; that “a number of serial killers have turned out to be homosexuals”; and that landlords should not rent or sell apartments to Arabs.
A spokesman for Eliyahu said the rabbi has not yet received official word from Weinstein, but warned that Eliyahu can still run despite Weinstein’s decision and that the AG’s comments might ultimately backfire, causing a groundswell of support for an Eliyhau candidacy.
quite right. His comments were a Chilul Hashem & disgusting.
I have read many of his comments over the years. Before anyone quotes the gemarah in avodah Zarah about not giving arabs (non-Jews) any place to live in israel, read the teshuva of Rabbi Hertzog who truly did represent what a chief Rabbi of Israel should represent.
He may be able to explain some if not all of his comments, but when you have to explain 13 such comments, best your name not be nominated for this representative position.
“the AG’s comments might ultimately backfire, causing a groundswell of support for an Eliyhau candidacy”
Azoy. I doubt there are a sufficient number of racist Sephardim who would want this guy as their chief rav. Aside from his racist comments about arabs, the comments about the predisposition of homosexuals to be serial killers makes you wonder if he has all his marbles. Its not just one or two comments like this but a long history of such comments against arabs, gays, women etc. suggests someone uniquely unsuited to be the chief rav for all the sephardeshe yidden in EY.
this is like Iran when they can disqualify anyone they don’t agree with from running for the presidency.
any rabbi should be allowed to say anything he feels is against halacha without fear especially in a Jewish state.
all Rabbonim should condemn this
There may be other jewish poskim that disagree with rav hertzog and rav eliyahu is also alowed to have a opinion on the issue. Governments have no bussines getting involved in ELECTIONS.
if you have to answer to police investigation for a halachik opinion yes thats very much like totalitarian regimes
what does a mechalel shabbos ochel treifos have to do with rabbonus?
And to the person that has issues with his comments on gays, untill you fully accept that homosexuality is a sin and and punishible by DEATH u can go home. this is the law of torah and the word of GOD. if you dont accept this you are a kofer. And any rov has the duty to say torahs opinion which is god,s opinion
The rov’s father rav mordichai eliyahu was a big gaon and tzadik and im sure his son will be the same.