Rabbi Yigal Levinstein
Levinstein's hearing canceled, Lieberman still insists he resign
Rabbi Levinstein's hearing regarding his inflammatory remarks on women in the IDF is canceled after the AG forebids Defense Min. Lieberman from imposing sanctions against Bnei David Yeshiva; Lieberman still summons the head of the Yeshiva, and is not backing down from pressuing for Levinstein's resignation.
The Defense Ministry canceled on Tuesday the hearing of Rabbi Yigal Levinstein over his abusive remarks towards women is canceled.
This is according to a letter sent by the ministry to the head of the preparatory yeshiva in Eli, Rabbi Eli Sadan.
The hearing was canceled due to the objection of Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, in which he clarified that the Defense Ministry has no authority on the issue of Rabbi Levinstein.
Levinstein (L) and Lieberman (Photo: Motti Kimchi)
Even so, Maj. Gen. (res.) Udi Adam noted in the letter that Sadan will still be summoned to a hearing in light of the fact that the Lieberman still intends to sanction the Bnei David yeshiva is some fashion.
The controversy around Rabbi Levinstein began after he sharply attacked women and others serving in the IDF. Following the crass remarks, Levinstein was summoned for a hearing in the Defense Ministry.
Defense Avigdor Lieberman (Yisrael Beytenu) clarified that if Levinstein does not take personal responsibility for his words and resigns, he will impose sanctions against the yeshiva headed by Levinstein.
After Levinstein refused to resign, Lieberman sanctions against the Bnei David yeshiva unless Levinstein ceases all activities as a rabbi and educator.
After deliberations between AG Mandelblit and senior officials in his office, Deputy Attorney General Dina Zilber submitted an opinion to the defense minister stating that he has no authority to remove the Bnei David yeshiva from the list of recognized Hesder yeshivas, since the sanction far exceeds the reasonable scope for administrative measures in this case.
Zilber also stated that the defense minister cannot revoke the recognition of the pre-military preparatory yeshiva since this authority is vested in the Ministry of Education.
(Translated & edited by Lior Mor)
