The Chabad-Lubavitch Hassidic movement in Israel has distanced itself from Rabbi Gedalia Axelrod after he issued a handwritten religious ruling invoking a doctrine associated with the justification of lethal violence against Jewish political leaders.
Axelrod, a former head of the Haifa Rabbinical Court, argued that Jewish politicians cooperating with Arab parties in Israel could be subject to the principle of “din rodef”.
The ruling was issued on Thursday and drew criticism from former Israeli security officials and political figures, who called for a police investigation into the rabbi’s statements.
Chabad spokesperson Rabbi Shimi Segal told Haaretz that Axelrod’s position did not represent the movement’s official stance.
He explained that Chabad’s rabbinical court was responsible for determining the movement’s official religious rulings and that Axelrod was neither a member of the court nor part of its leadership.
Segal said Axelrod’s letters and statements reflected his personal views.
Rabbi Invokes Doctrine Linked to Rabin Assassination
In his handwritten letter, Axelrod claimed that Jewish politicians cooperating with Arab parties endangered Jewish people in Israel and elsewhere.
He argued that such cooperation could include inviting Arab parties into a governing coalition or depending on their support from outside the government.
The rabbi’s reference to “din rodef” has drawn particular attention because the doctrine was invoked by Yigal Amir to justify the 1995 assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.
Before Rabin’s killing, extremist rabbis had argued that his pursuit of the Oslo Accords placed Jewish lives in danger.
Axelrod Says He Does Not Regret Issuing the Letter
Speaking to Walla after the controversy emerged, Axelrod said he had no regrets about writing the ruling.
He maintained that his actions were guided by his understanding of religious obligations and said he had knowingly undertaken the responsibility despite anticipating opposition.
The rabbi also stressed that he had acted independently and was not representing Chabad.
When questioned about whether his ruling could encourage hatred, Axelrod said he followed what he believed the Torah required.
He acknowledged that Jewish communities held different interpretations of religious teachings, but maintained that disagreements over religious matters were longstanding.
Former Security Chiefs Demand Police Investigation
A group of former heads of Israel’s security services and military organisations has called on police to investigate Axelrod over suspected incitement to murder.
In a letter addressed to Assistant-Chief Boaz Balet, who heads the police Investigations and Intelligence Division, the former officials urged authorities to summon the rabbi for questioning.
They warned that failing to investigate the statements could expose Israel to the possibility of another political assassination.
The group raised concerns about the implications of invoking a religious doctrine previously associated with the assassination of a serving prime minister.
MK Ofer Cassif Calls for Criminal Investigation
Member of the Knesset Ofer Cassif, the only Jewish member of the Ra’am party, separately called on State Prosecutor Amit Isman to launch a criminal investigation into Axelrod.
Cassif said the country was experiencing a sensitive period involving a change in political leadership following the election.
He urged law enforcement authorities to remain particularly vigilant against individuals who threaten, encourage violence or legitimise the killing of elected officials because of their political decisions.
Cooperation With Arab Parties Remains a Political Issue
The controversy comes as Israeli political leaders consider possible coalition arrangements involving Arab parties.
Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats, has expressed support for including Arab parties in a government.
Gadi Eisenkot, who was tasked with forming the next government, had also indicated that he would invite parties that met specified conditions to join his coalition.
Ra’am, led by Mansour Abbas, previously participated in the 2021–2022 government formed by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid.
Both Ra’am and the Joint List have recommended Eisenkot to form the next government.
The political debate over cooperation with Arab parties formed the basis of Axelrod’s handwritten ruling and the subsequent calls for a police investigation.
