Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef: This is "blatant distortion by interested political parties"

This morning, the spirits raged in response to Rishon Yitzhak Yosef's remarks against the Soviet Union. After a fierce attack in the media, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef responded. Among his remarks: "It is very unfortunate that some people feel themselves hurt by the way things are presented"

Novi Good celebrations in Jaffa (Photo: Reuven Castro)

Novi Goode Celebrations, New Year 2019 in Jaffa (Photo: Reuven Castro)

This morning, the spirits stormed following the remarks of Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef Yosef against the Russian immigrants. It was reported that the Chief Rabbi of Israel called immigrants from the former Soviet Union "Gentiles" and other designations. At a rabbinical conference held last week in Jerusalem, Joseph said that "tens or hundreds of thousands" of former Soviet immigrants are not Jews and vote for parties that incite against the ultra-Orthodox and Jewish public. His remarks were first published this morning (Tuesday) in Yedioth Ahronoth.

Only two weeks ago, the Population Authority released data that revealed that a significant proportion of immigrants to Israel, mainly from the former Soviet Union, are not Jewish according to Halacha, but relatives of Jewish immigrants. According to the data, 51% of immigrants to Israel in 2012-2019 came from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova. Of these, only about a third are Jewish according to Halacha. The other immigrants to Israel during these years are members of their family, and are not Jewish according to Halacha, but are entitled to immigrate under the Law of Return.

After a fierce attack in the media, Rabbi Yitzchak Yosef responded.

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Notice from Rishon LeZion Chief Rabbi of Israel

"I said clearly and I say again: alongside most of the blessed immigration of hundreds of thousands of former Soviet Jews who have spent many years to guard the Jewish exile, there are a minority of non-Jewish immigrants under Halacha who came by virtue of the" grandson clause "in the Law of Return permitting those whose father and mother are not Jews to immigrate to Israel.

During my last month's visit to Jewish communities flourishing in Russia and Ukraine, I was exposed to the harsh criticism that exists among these communities for bringing many non-Jews to Israel.

Those who bring masses of Gentiles to Israel through this section for foreign reasons, act unfairly first and foremost towards those immigrants and present them at every stage of their lives to an impossible reality for them in a Jewish state. Revision of the Law of Return is first and foremost in the interest of the immigrants.

Of course, alongside the criticism, we as Jews must accept every resident of this land, appreciate its contribution to us as a society, and our teachings teach us to respect every person who is a person that B'Tselem created.

It is very unfortunate that there are those who feel themselves being harmed by the way things are blatantly disoriented by interested political parties who have been inciting for months against the tradition of Judaism and Halacha, and it is important to state their accuracy and truth through it. "