Chabad rejects Axelrod's ruling on lethal force against coalition partners
The movement stated the former Haifa court head's handwritten letter reflects only his personal opinion, not official doctrine.
By Oliver Bennett ·
Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement leaders in Israel rejected a new religious ruling issued by Rabbi Gedalia Axelrod on Thursday. The former head of the Haifa Rabbinical Court authored a handwritten letter arguing that Jewish politicians who cooperate with Arab parties may be subject to lethal force under specific halachic principles.
Axelrod cited the doctrine of din rodef, a concept derived from the teachings of Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon. The principle allows for killing a pursuer to save a life in danger. Axelrod claimed that such cooperation poses a severe threat to the Jewish people in the Holy Land and globally. He defined this cooperation as either inviting Arab parties into a governing coalition or relying on their external support.
Rabbi Shimi Segal, the Chabad movement's spokesman in Israel, stated that the rabbinical court solely determines the group's official religious positions. Segal clarified that Axelrod is not a member of that court and holds no leadership role in Chabad. "His words and letters reflect his own personal opinion," Segal told Haaretz.
Former heads of Israel's security services and military demanded a police investigation into Axelrod for suspected incitement to murder. In a letter to Maj.-Gen. Boaz Balet, head of the police Investigations and Intelligence Division, the group urged authorities to summon the rabbi for questioning. They warned that inaction could lead to another political assassination, echoing the 1995 killing of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin by Yigal Amir, who also invoked din rodef.
Ofer Cassif, a lawmaker with the Joint List, separately requested that State Prosecutor Amit Isman open a criminal investigation. Cassif noted that Israel is in a sensitive period of leadership change following the recent election. He argued that law enforcement must act with vigilance against those who threaten or legitimize killing elected officials who exercise their public mandate.
The dispute arises as coalition building continues after the election. Gadi Eisenkot, tasked with forming the next government, said he would invite parties meeting certain conditions to join his coalition. Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats, expressed support for including Arab parties in the government. Both the United Arab List and the Joint List had recommended Eisenkot for the task.
The United Arab List, led by Mansour Abbas, previously participated in the 2021-2022 government led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid. Axelrod's letter adds to the religious and political debates surrounding the composition of the new cabinet.
