Senior Chabad rabbi condones killing Jewish politicians who work with Arabs
Senior Chabad rabbi condones killing Jewish politicians who work with Arabs Submitted by MEE staff on Fri, 11/13/2026 - 14:22 Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement distances itself from Gedalia Axelrod's 'personal opinion' Rabbi Gedalia Axelrod (YouTube screengrab) Off A senior Chabad rabbi has been criticised by his own movement after he said it was permissible to kill Jewish Israeli politicians who…
A senior Chabad rabbi, Gedalia Axelrod, has sparked controversy after suggesting it is permissible to kill Jewish Israeli politicians who work with Arabs. This statement, made in the form of a halakhic ruling, has been condemned by his own religious movement. Under Jewish religious law, a rodef is someone who poses a threat to another's life, allowing for any means necessary to stop them.
Axelrod's comments drew parallels to Yigal Amir, who assassinated Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, using the same doctrine. Chabad-Lubavitch, Axelrod's movement, swiftly disavowed his personal opinion, stating that he is not a member of the Chabad Rabbinical Court and his statements do not represent official Chabad position.
The controversy has led some Chabad members to call for a criminal investigation into Axelrod, given his influential status within the ultra-Orthodox community.
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