Last Thursday, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, former Chief Rabbi of Israel, launched a scathing attack on MK Yuli Edelstein, chairman of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, over Edelstein’s push to penalize Haredim who evade military service.
In a recording aired on Radio Kol Rama, Rabbi Yosef declared: “His soul is repulsive. He was a Prisoner of Zion who came to Israel—it’s a shame he did. He should have stayed where he was. … He causes hardship for yeshiva students. He’s behind all of this. Edelstein, Netanyahu—this so-called right wing is a false right wing. They are evil, wicked people.”
חשד להצתה: שריפה בבית הכנסת של הרב יצחק יוסף בירושלים | תיעוד@VeredPelman pic.twitter.com/xiLqjWSclJ
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) June 8, 2025
On Sunday morning, a fire broke out at a synagogue on 22 Yam Suf Street in Jerusalem’s Sanhedria neighborhood, where Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef regularly prays. Police, fire, and rescue teams responded to the scene and succeeded in extinguishing the blaze. The synagogue sustained damage, but no injuries were reported.
Footage from the scene shows a man entering the synagogue shortly after 3 a.m., moments before the fire broke out. The special chair of the Rishon LeZion—Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, a member of the Council of Torah Sages and son of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef—was damaged in the blaze. Several holy books also caught fire, but were rescued in time and spared significant harm.
Police are not quick to surmise a connection between the former chief rabbi’s vicious attack on Edelstein and Netanyahu and the arson, mostly since a few minutes earlier, police received a report of a cross painted on the door of a nearby home. Officers from the Lev HaBira Police Station and the Jerusalem District Criminal Investigation Department arrived at the scene, collected evidence and witness statements, and opened an investigation. And so, all possible motives are currently being explored.
Minister of Religious Affairs Michael Malchieli responded: “Shocking scenes, with antisemitic symbols at the Or HaBib Synagogue, where Maran Rishon LeZion, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef Shlita, prays. It is the responsibility of all religious leaders across the spectrum to condemn and denounce such vile acts. At the same time, I call on the Israel Police to act decisively and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.”
Rabbi David Stav, Chair and Founder of the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization, issued a sharp rebuke of former Sephardi Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef’s recent remarks:
“Rabbi Yosef, who has made numerous harmful statements against IDF soldiers, has now turned his attention to disparaging olim to Israel. Slander is a despicable act, and even more so when it is done in the name of someone who holds the title of rabbi. He repeatedly chooses inciting and harmful language against anyone who thinks differently.
“Even if there are differences of opinion regarding the question of IDF enlistment, there is no room for debate that slandering others is something that cannot be condoned or accepted – even if we disagree with someone.
“Believing strongly that IDF service is something to be embraced and respected by all aspects of Israeli society, including the haredi sector, is a position that should be lauded and praised. And even if Rabbi Yosef personally chooses not to stand behind that position, there is no place for him to attack and insult those who do, and certainly never to disparage the heroic choices and actions made by people like Yuli Edelstein, who paved a path to bring hundreds of thousands of Jews out of bondage in the FSU to their homes here in Israel.
“On behalf of the majority of Israelis and Jews around the world – and in the name of true Torah Judaism- I wish to thank and bless MK Edelstein who continues on his life’s path of bravery and justice and for his unwavering commitment to embrace equality in ensuring all Jews can observe the mitzvah of going out to defend and fight for the people and land of Israel.”
