Rabbi Justifies Killing Jewish Politicians Who Cooperate with Arab Parties

A former chief rabbi of Israel’s Haifa Rabbinical Court, Gedalia Axelrod, has issued a religious ruling that effectively justifies the killing of Jewish politicians who cooperate with Arab political parties. Following his remarks, former security and military officials in the country have called for an investigation into allegations of incitement to murder.

According to The Jerusalem Post, citing Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Axelrod referred to the Jewish religious law principle of ‘Din Rodef’ in a handwritten letter, suggesting that it should be applied to politicians who cooperate with Arab parties. He argued that the participation of Arab parties in the government, or relying on their support from outside the government, could pose a grave danger to the people of Israel.

The Hebrew word ‘Rodef’ means pursuer or attacker. Under this principle of Jewish religious law, if someone poses a threat to another person’s life, lethal force may be used to stop the attacker and protect the threatened individual. However, Axelrod’s remarks suggest applying this principle to elected representatives who cooperate with Arab parties for political purposes.

In response, a group of former Israeli security and military officials sent a letter to the head of the police investigations division, calling for Axelrod to be questioned and investigated. The letter warned that his remarks could incite violence and create the risk of another political assassination in the country. The signatories include former Shin Bet chiefs Mr. Carmi Gillon and Mr. Ami Ayalon, as well as former Mossad chiefs Mr. Danny Yatom and Mr. Tamir Pardo.

Joint List lawmaker Mr. Ofer Cassif has also called for a criminal investigation against Axelrod. He said law enforcement authorities must take action against threats or incitement to kill elected representatives over their political decisions.

Meanwhile, the Chabad-Lubavitch movement has distanced itself from Axelrod’s remarks. A spokesperson for the organisation said the letter reflected Axelrod’s personal views and did not represent the movement’s official religious position.

Before the assassination of then Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, some extremists had invoked the ‘Din Rodef’ principle. The assassin, Yigal Amir, later shot and killed Rabin.

Meanwhile, Democrats leader Mr. Yair Golan has supported the participation of Arab parties in the government. On the other hand, Mr. Gadi Eisenkot, who has been tasked with forming the next government, has said that parties meeting certain conditions could be included in the coalition. The United Arab List, led by Mansour Abbas, was part of the government formed by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid in 2021-22.