Senior Chabad rabbi condones killing Jewish politicians who work with Arabs

Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement distances itself from Gedalia Axelrod's 'personal opinion' Rabbi Gedalia Axelrod (YouTube screengrab) Published date: 13 November 2026 15:27 GMT | Last update: 4 sec ago A senior Chabad rabbi has been criticised by his own movement after he said it was permissible to kill Jewish Israeli politicians who worked with Arabs. Gedalia Axelrod, a senior cleric in the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement, issued a halakhic ruling earlier this week in which he said that Jewish politicians who form a government backed by Palestinian citizens of Israel were "din rodef", which roughly translates as "law of the pursuer". Under Jewish religious law, a rodef is someone who poses a threat to another person's life and may be stopped by any means necessary. The doctrine was previously invoked by Yitzhak Rabin’s assassin, Yigal Amir, to justify the prime minister’s killing in 1995. Axelrod wrote that collaboration with Arab parties "poses a terrible danger to the people of Israel in the Holy Land and around the world". New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters Collaboration could either take the form of inviting Arab parties to join a governing coalition, or even relying on their support from outside it. Swift condemnation Axelrod's comments were swiftly condemned by the leadership of his religious movement, with Chabad spokesperson Rabbi Shimi Segal clarifying that his statements did not represent the official Chabad position. “Chabad’s official halachic positions are determined exclusively by the Chabad Rabbinical Court, in accordance with the Rebbe’s instructions,” he said. The changing face of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox politics Read More » “Rabbi Axelrod is not a member of the court and does not hold a leadership position in Chabad. His statements and letters reflect his personal views alone.” Despite the disavowal, at least one Chabad website has described Axelrod as "among the most important Chabad rabbis in the Holy Land". Ofer Cassif, the only Jewish member of the left-wing Joint List party, urged police to open a criminal investigation into Axelrod, warning that as an "authoritative and recognisable rabbinic figure" his pronouncement could carry weight. "We are right now in a very sensitive period of leadership change following the election," he wrote, in a letter addressed to State Prosecutor Amit Isman. "It is clearly incumbent upon the law enforcement authorities to operate with particular vigilance during this period against anyone who threatens, incites or legitimises killing elected officials for exercising the public mandate given to them." Middle East Eye delivers independent and unrivalled coverage and analysis of the Middle East, North Africa and beyond. To learn more about republishing this content and the associated fees, please fill out this form. More about MEE can be found here.