Rabbi Metzger – leftists, rightists unite in calling on chief rabbi to quit
Photo: Dan Balilti
Metzger associates slam Mazuz's 'chutzpah'
Chief rabbi announces he will petition High Court after attorney general calls on him to resign; meanwhile, leftist and rightist politicians agree Metzger must go
Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Yona Metzger announced Monday evening he intends to petition the High Court of Justice Tuesday after Attorney General Menachem Mazuz called on him to resign his post.
However, Metzger's associated issued a scathing attack on the attorney general and charged Mazuz ruled the rabbi did not commit a criminal offence yet at the same time did not allow him to a submit to a hearing or any opportunity to defend himself before a court of law.
Metzger claims Mazuz in effect issued a verdict against him without allowing him to defend himself and while violating basic rights. Earlier, Mazuz announced the criminal investigation against the rabbi will be closed but called on him to quit, while charging him with "not telling the truth" among other things.
Damning Report
Tal Rosner
Scathing report: Attorney general slams Chief Ashkenazi Rabbi Metzger, says he lied during investigation into hotel stay in Jerusalem free of charge; Mazuz decides not to indict rabbi but recommends that he resign his post
At this time, Metzger has no intention to quit, the associates said. Other associates slammed Mazuz's "chutzpah," charging that the attorney general in effect convicted the rabbi, even though he closed the case against him.
'Rabbi must resign at once'
Meanwhile, leftist and rightist politicians were able to reach a rare consensus regarding the need for Metzger to quit.
"I'm calling on Rabbi Metzger to resign his post in order to safeguard the honor of the Chief Rabbinate," Knesset Member Yitzhak Levy (National Union-NRP) said. "The Rabbinate needs to symbolize the Jewish values of morality and public decency, and must not be tainted by suspicions of corruption."
Meanwhile, leftist Knesset Member Avshalom (Abu) Vilan from Meretz said: "I'm calling on Metzger to heed the attorney general's recommendation and resign at once."
Labor Knesset Member Ophir Pines said that "in light of the serious affair, there's no possibility for Rabbi Metzger to remain in his post."
