ACRI (Association for Civil Rights in Israel) has turned to Justice Minister Tzipi Livni (The Movement) with a request to oust Tzfas Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu Shlita from his post due to his “racist statements” in the past.
In the request ACRI sites that even if the rabbi’s statements against Arabs are not a violation of anti racism laws, they are sufficient to remove him from his post as a chief rabbi of the city. ACRI feels that it is unacceptable for a senior civil servant to express himself as the rabbi has in the past, “trampling basic rights of citizens of the country”. ACRI points out that the matter has become increasingly urgent since it is now evident that the rabbis is viewed as a candidate for the next Sephardi chief rabbi in the eyes of some voters.
MK Esawi Frij (Meretz) has already called to block Rabbi Eliyahu’s candidacy in the chief rabbi race, siding with those who feel his anti-Arab statements and policies disqualify him from running in the race. Frij has called on Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein to become involved to block Rav Eliyahu’s candidacy.
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