Israel’s Chief Rabbi Interrogated for Pocketing Donations
Israeli Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger is being interrogated on suspicion that he took hundreds of thousands of shekels meant for nongovernmental organizations.
Metzger’s home and office were raided on Thursday, according to Israeli reports, and Israeli Police confiscated documents and property. Metzger was brought to the National Fraud Unit for interrogation on accepting bribes, fraud and money laundering, Ynet reported.
Three associates of Metzger — two heads of NGOs and a Chief Rabbinate employee — also were arrested. An investigation of Metzger reportedly was opened months ago after information implicating him in illicit activity reached police.
Metzger’s 10-year term as chief rabbi is set to expire this year. Elections to replace him will take place next month.
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO